Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasadena, CA and Dallas, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasadena, CA and Dallas, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,400 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $3,016 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,395 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $4,438 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $8,390 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $5,859 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

Pasadena, CA costs about 46% more than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Pasadena, CA and Dallas, TX sit above the global median – Pasadena, CA by 220%, Dallas, TX by 120%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.65 $17.65

$21.63 $21.63

-18.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.7 $84.7

$89.6 $89.6

-5.48%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.08 $12.08

$12.17 $12.17

-0.74%

Cappuccino

$4.61 $4.61

$6.34 $6.34

-27.29%

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

$3.38 $3.38

$3.04 $3.04

11.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.41 $2.41

6.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.63 $9.63

$7.83 $7.83

22.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.19 $11.19

$8.10 $8.10

38.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.03 $1.03

31.07%

White Bread (500g)

$4.93 $4.93

$3.49 $3.49

41.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.62 $4.62

-6.49%

Eggs

$5.13 $5.13

$4.82 $4.82

6.43%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.41 $13.41

$13.28 $13.28

0.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.21 $11.21

32.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.93 $21.93

$18.27 $18.27

20.03%

Apples (1kg)

$4.50 $4.50

$5.84 $5.84

-22.95%

Banana (1kg)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.57 $1.57

57.32%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.65 $4.65

$4.90 $4.90

-5.10%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.22 $6.22

$4.06 $4.06

53.20%

Potato (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$2.33 $2.33

127.90%

Onion (1kg)

$2.40 $2.40

$3.11 $3.11

-22.83%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.95 $1.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.85 $2.85

-21.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.01 $10.01

Wine (Bottle)

$11.05 $11.05

$15.73 $15.73

-29.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$3.36 $3.36

-36.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 $1.88

$4.66 $4.66

-59.66%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.82 $1.82

$2.93 $2.93

-37.88%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$101 $101

$127 $127

-20.11%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 $3.08

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.65 $23.65

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 $1.48

$0.92 $0.92

60.87%

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

$35.7K $35.7K

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

$28.5K $28.5K

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

$303 $303

$199 $199

52.51%

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

$58.0 $58.0

$66.0 $66.0

-12.14%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.2 $75.2

$69.3 $69.3

8.49%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.41 $34.41

$56.4 $56.4

-39.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.38 $35.38

$20.24 $20.24

74.80%

Cinema Ticket

$17.71 $17.71

$14.71 $14.71

20.39%

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

$3,885 $3,885

$2,124 $2,124

82.87%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K $14.9K

$24.2K $24.2K

-38.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$62.5 $62.5

3.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.46 $48.46

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.7 $78.7

$122 $122

-35.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$254 $254

$140 $140

81.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,193 $3,193

$1,768 $1,768

80.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,908 $2,908

$1,450 $1,450

100.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,560 $5,560

$3,836 $3,836

44.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,967 $4,967

$2,433 $2,433

104.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,897 $8,897

$9,275 $9,275

-4.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,638 $8,638

$3,125 $3,125

176.38%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,213 $5,213

$4,507 $4,507

15.65%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.05

6.34

-4.57%

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

Last update for Pasadena, CA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Dallas, TX: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,193 in Pasadena, CA versus $1,768 in Dallas, TX. 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 16% higher in Pasadena, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $85.0 in Pasadena, CA versus $90.0 in Dallas, TX. Groceries tell a different story – $460 in Pasadena, CA vs $425 in Dallas, TX – 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

Pasadena, CA vs Dallas, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Pasadena, CA costs about 46% more than Dallas, TX, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,600 per month in Pasadena, CA and $4,524 in Dallas, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $3,885 per month in Pasadena, CA and $2,124 in Dallas, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% more in Pasadena, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,400 in Pasadena, CA and $3,016 in Dallas, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Dallas, TX costs $3,016 versus $4,400 in Pasadena, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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