Cost of Living Comparison Between Dallas, TX and Stillwater, MN Cost of Living Comparison Between Dallas, TX and Stillwater, MN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,016 per month in Dallas, TX vs $2,893 in Stillwater, MN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,438 per month in Dallas, TX vs $4,028 in Stillwater, MN, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,859 per month in Dallas, TX vs $5,163 in Stillwater, MN, rent included.

Dallas, TX costs about 4% more than Stillwater, MN, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Dallas, TX and Stillwater, MN sit above the global median – Dallas, TX by 120%, Stillwater, MN by 111%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.63 $21.63

$17.48 $17.48

23.74%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.6 $89.6

$81.6 $81.6

9.87%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.17 $12.17

$11.99 $11.99

1.50%

Cappuccino

$6.34 $6.34

$5.81 $5.81

9.12%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.98 $2.98

2.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.23 $2.23

8.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$6.99 $6.99

12.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$8.20 $8.20

-1.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.91 $0.91

13.19%

White Bread (500g)

$3.49 $3.49

$3.66 $3.66

-4.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.62 $4.62

$7.09 $7.09

-34.84%

Eggs

$4.82 $4.82

$3.65 $3.65

32.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.28 $13.28

$10.44 $10.44

27.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.21 $11.21

$14.16 $14.16

-20.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.27 $18.27

$19.52 $19.52

-6.40%

Apples (1kg)

$5.84 $5.84

$4.57 $4.57

27.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 $1.57

$1.79 $1.79

-12.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.90 $4.90

$4.53 $4.53

8.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$5.15 $5.15

-21.17%

Potato (1kg)

$2.33 $2.33

$4.30 $4.30

-45.81%

Onion (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$3.90 $3.90

-20.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.29 $2.29

-14.85%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.59 $2.59

10.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.01 $10.01

$13.12 $13.12

-23.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.73 $15.73

$15.92 $15.92

-1.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.36 $3.36

$2.88 $2.88

16.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.66 $4.66

$5.59 $5.59

-16.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.93 $2.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$127 $127

$83.5 $83.5

51.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 $3.08

$5.06 $5.06

-39.13%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.67 $1.67

2.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.65 $23.65

$24.04 $24.04

-1.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.92 $0.92

$1.03 $1.03

-10.68%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.7K $35.7K

$36.2K $36.2K

-1.15%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.5K $28.5K

$25.6K $25.6K

11.61%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$199 $199

$133 $133

49.85%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$54.0 $54.0

22.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.3 $69.3

$68.0 $68.0

1.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.4 $56.4

$123 $123

-54.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.24 $20.24

$35.58 $35.58

-43.11%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$15.22 $15.22

-3.35%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,124 $2,124

$1,349 $1,349

57.50%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.2K $24.2K

$35.6K $35.6K

-32.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.5 $62.5

$57.6 $57.6

8.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.46 $48.46

$44.28 $44.28

9.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$122 $122

$90.3 $90.3

35.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$140 $140

$50.5 $50.5

176.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,768 $1,768

$1,513 $1,513

16.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,450 $1,450

$1,515 $1,515

-4.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,836 $3,836

$2,263 $2,263

69.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,433 $2,433

$2,131 $2,131

14.18%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,275 $9,275

$2,977 $2,977

211.50%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,125 $3,125

$2,886 $2,886

8.30%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,507 $4,507

$6,798 $6,798

-33.70%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.34

6.27

1.12%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dallas, TX: August 31, 2026

Last update for Stillwater, MN: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,768 in Dallas, TX versus $1,513 in Stillwater, MN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 51% higher in Stillwater, MN, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $90.0 in Dallas, TX versus $82.0 in Stillwater, MN. Groceries tell a different story – $425 in Dallas, TX vs $445 in Stillwater, MN – so Dallas, TX wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Dallas, TX vs Stillwater, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas, TX costs about 4% more than Stillwater, MN, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,524 per month in Dallas, TX and $4,340 in Stillwater, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Stillwater, MN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $2,124 per month in Dallas, TX and $1,349 in Stillwater, MN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Dallas, TX – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,016 in Dallas, TX and $2,893 in Stillwater, MN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Stillwater, MN costs $2,893 versus $3,016 in Dallas, TX. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Stillwater, MN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dallas, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.