in this economy?

This is the salary you need to live comfortably in Dallas in 2026

Single Dallasites need to make nearly $97,000 to live comfortably in the city, the report found.

A 2026 report analyzing how much it costs to live "in sustainable comfort" in the biggest U.S. cities has found Dallas residents need to make $1,040 more than they did last year to live comfortably in the city.

Dallas is tied with neighbors Garland and Irving at No. 72 in SmartAsset's national ranking of the cities with the highest salary needed to live comfortably in 2026, with single adult residents needing to make $96,970 a year to qualify as "financially stable." Last year, single Dallasites needed to make $95,930 to be considered financially stable.

Families with two working parents and two children need to make a household income of $214,490 to have a financially stable life in Dallas, the report found. That's only $749 higher than what families needed to make last year.

To determine the rankings, SmartAsset's analysts examined 100 of the largest U.S. cities and used the latest cost of living data – such as the costs for housing, food, transportation, and income taxes where applicable – from the MIT Living Wage Calculator for childless individuals and for two working adults with two children.

For the purpose of the study, the 50/30/20 budgeting strategy was used to determine "comfortable lifestyle" costs for both individuals and families: 50 percent of income to cover needs and living expenses, 30 percent for "wants," and 20 percent for savings or paying down debt.

Here's breakdown of a Dallas resident's comfortable lifestyle based on SmartAsset's findings:

$48,485 dedicated to needs and living expenses
$29,037 dedicated to wants
$19,358 dedicated to savings or debt repayment

This is SmartAsset's interpretation of a comfortable lifestyle for families of four:

$107,245 dedicated to needs and living expenses
$64,347 dedicated to wants
$42,898 dedicated to savings or debt repayment

SmartAsset said single individuals and families should compare the fluctuating local cost of living and their long-term goals to fully "understand the context" of their respective household incomes. But it's worth pointing out that a financially stable life in Dallas isn't quite attainable for many residents: The city had a median household income of $74,323 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Elsewhere in North Texas, the report found that families in Frisco and McKinney "are closest to a comfortable salary."

"In Frisco, [Texas], the median household earns $145,444 – substantially higher than the national median of $83,730," the report's author wrote. "This figure also accounts for 63.1 percent of the $230,464 income a family of four in Frisco needs to live comfortably. In McKinney, TX, the $124,177 median household income accounts for 53.9 percent of the $230,464 needed."

The two suburbs also tied with Plano for the 29th highest salary needed nationally to live comfortably in 2026. Single adults living in these cities need to make $109,242 a year to live a financially stable life this year.

Fort Worth and Arlington tied for No. 68 overall, with single adults needing a $97,552 salary to live comfortably, and $217,235 for working families of four.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Trader Joe's plots DFW expansion and more top Dallas stories

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Dallas news of the week, from a cult-favorite grocer's DFW plans to an intimate new restaurant from Dallas hospitality vets. Read on for our most popular stories, then plan your weekend with the help of this expert guide.

1. Cult grocer Trader Joe's plots 3 new locations for Dallas-Fort Worth. In massive supermarket news, Trader Joe's, the cult grocery chain from California, is expanding in North Texas with plans to open a trio of new locations across Dallas-Fort Worth. One alone would be cause for celebration, never mind three.

2. Dallas hospitality pros team up for new restaurant in Inwood Village. Dallas restaurateur Bob Sambol, who brought Bob's Steak & Chop House to the city in the 1990s, is partnering with a prolific Dallas hospitality group to open an intimate new eatery called Charlie’s in Inwood Village.

3. Martha Stewart pastries take the cake in this Dallas restaurant news. This Dallas restaurant news roundup is perfect for the start of football season because it's full of winners. There are a few restaurant openings, lots of game-day specials, and tons of new fall menus at local restaurants and coffee shops.

Haggard Farm Almanac A rendering of Almanac restaurant at Haggard Farm. Rendering courtesy of Haggard Farm

4. Massive retail village with restaurant and event barn to debut in Plano. A 180,000-square-foot “retail village” is about to be born in Plano. The village will debut this fall at the more than $750 million Haggard Farm mixed-use development, along with 350 apartments, 188 townhomes, and a three-acre park.

5. Michelin-recognized chef brings Korean barbecue to Dallas' Bishop Arts. An upscale steakhouse featuring premium Korean barbecue is coming to 634 W. Davis St. in Bishop Arts, a space formerly occupied by Berkley’s Market, which closed in 2024. Min’s Prime Cut Korean Steakhouse, from owners Minji Kim and her husband, Ben Lee, is expected to open by November.

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