Dallas, TX vs Las Vegas, NV

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Las Vegas, NV spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Home prices in Las Vegas, NV run 34% higher. Dallas, TX has the lower unemployment rate.

$67,760
Income in Dallas
$70,723
Income in Las Vegas
$1,403
Rent in Dallas
$1,456
Rent in Las Vegas

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Dallas, TX
Las Vegas, NV
Difference
Median Household Income
$67,760
$70,723
4% higher
Median Home Value
$295,300
$395,300
34% more
Median Monthly Rent
$1,403
$1,456
4% more
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,409
$1,452
3% more
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
7.1%
45% more
Population
1,299,553
650,873

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Dallas, TX, renters allocate roughly 24.8% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Las Vegas, NV, the figure is 24.7% , making Las Vegas, NV the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Dallas, TX, that ratio is 4.4x. Homes cost 4.4 times the median annual income. In Las Vegas, NV, it's 5.6x. Homes are relatively more attainable in Dallas, TX.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,409 in Dallas and $1,452 in Las Vegas. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in Dallas, TX is $67,760; in Las Vegas, NV it is $70,723. That's a $2,963 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 4.9% in Dallas and 7.1% in Las Vegas. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 54.0% in Dallas versus 50.2% in Las Vegas.

Population

Dallas, TX has a population of 1,299,553, making it the larger of the two cities. Las Vegas, NV has 650,873 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov