Median rent is 5% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,472/mo). Buying is cheaper in Dallas, where the median home runs $320,700 versus $373,700. Households earn more in Dallas ($70,518 vs $52,060 a year). Taken together, Dallas is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 112.6 — about 9% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Dallas, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Dallas is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Dallas vs 112.6 in Newark (US national average = 100)
City A
Dallas, TX
City B
Newark, NJ
How much would you need to earn in Newark, NJ to maintain your standard of living from Dallas, TX?
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$82,431
You'd need $7,431 more (10% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Dallas
Texas
Newark
New Jersey
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,472/mo in Dallas and $1,392/mo in Newark. Median home values are within 14% of each other: $320,700 in Dallas and $373,700 in Newark.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Dallas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newark
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newark has cleaner air on average: 46.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Dallas if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 112.6).
Pick Dallas if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,518/yr).
Pick Newark if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 46.0).
Is Dallas cheaper than Newark?
Dallas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Dallas.
How much is rent in Dallas vs Newark?
Median rent is $1,472/mo in Dallas, TX and $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Dallas or Newark?
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas, TX and $52,060 in Newark, NJ. Dallas, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Newark, NJ has better air quality on average: 46.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Dallas or Newark?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Newark to match my Dallas income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Dallas, TX is equivalent to roughly $109,908 in Newark, NJ (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
