City comparison
Austin vs Dallas
Both cities are in Texas, both have no state income tax, and both are booming. But the vibe is completely different. Austin is the smaller, techier, more outdoorsy option. Dallas is the larger, more corporate metro with big-city amenities. Here is what the data shows.
Last updated 2026-05-05
At a glance
| Austin, TX | Dallas, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent | $1,612/mo | $1,440/mo |
| 2BR rent | $2,129/mo | $2,233/mo |
| Median home price | $425,000 | $350,000 |
| Household income | $85,000 | $60,000 |
| Sales tax | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| Property tax rate | 1.36% | 1.8% |
| State income tax | None | None |
| Summer high | 97°F | 96°F |
| Winter high | 62°F | 57°F |
| Sunny days/year | 228 | 234 |
| Annual rainfall | 34″ | 37″ |
| Population | 1,028,225 | 1,304,379 |
Sources: Census ACS, BLS, NOAA Climate Normals, Tax Foundation. See inline citations below for specific claims.
Cost of living
Dallas is modestly cheaper overall. One-bedroom rents average $1,440 in Dallas vs $1,612 in Austin, saving about $110/month. Home prices favor Dallas significantly ($350K vs $425K median). However, Dallas has higher property tax rates (1.80% vs 1.36%), which narrows the homeowner savings. Both cities share the same 6.25% state sales tax. Austin's higher median income ($85K vs $60K in the city proper) reflects the concentration of tech jobs. The DFW suburbs (Plano, Frisco) have higher household incomes that rival Austin's.
Taxes
Both are in Texas: no state income tax, same 6.25% state sales tax. The only tax difference is property: Dallas County's effective rate is around 1.80% vs Travis County (Austin) at 1.36%. On a $400K home, that is a difference of roughly $1,760/year. Collin County suburbs (Plano, Frisco) run even higher at around 2.0%. Sales tax combined rates are similar (8.25% in both metros when local additions are included).
Climate
Very similar, but Austin is slightly warmer in winter (62 vs 57 average highs). Both cities have brutal summers exceeding 95 degrees. Dallas gets slightly more rain (37 vs 34 inches) and is more susceptible to severe weather (tornadoes, hail). Austin's Hill Country terrain provides slightly more shade and the presence of natural springs and creeks. Both cities have 230+ sunny days per year.
Job market
Austin is a top tech hub with Tesla, Apple, Google, Meta, and Oracle all having significant presence. Dallas-Fort Worth is more diversified: AT&T, Southwest Airlines, ExxonMobil, American Airlines, and major financial institutions. DFW is significantly larger (7.6M metro vs Austin's 2.3M), offering more total job opportunities but less concentration of high-paying tech roles. The DFW suburbs have become a magnet for corporate relocations, offering more affordable offices than Austin's increasingly tight downtown.
Culture and lifestyle
Austin is smaller, more walkable downtown, more outdoorsy (Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, Hill Country trails), and still carries its "Keep Austin Weird" creative identity despite massive growth. Dallas has big-city amenities that Austin lacks: professional sports teams across all major leagues, major museums (DMA, Nasher), and an established fine dining scene. Reddit users moving from Dallas to Austin frequently cite walkability and nature access as the draw. Those choosing Dallas over Austin cite better Asian food options, more corporate networking, and lower housing costs in the suburbs.
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