CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Dallas is moderately cheaper than Pasadena — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $88,100 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+44.5%
Dallas
117.9
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Dallas
102.8
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Dallas
104.7
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Dallas
94.7
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+74.9%
Dallas
90.7
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas to see what you'd need to earn in Pasadena to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$88,100
$8,100 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.1018. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 44.5% higher housing costs compared to Dallas.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.