Source: ReDunnLev / Getty
Renting in Dallas, Texas, has become increasingly challenging as the cost of living rises across the United States. According to a Zillow analysis published on May 12, 2025, renters in Dallas now need to earn approximately $71,413 annually to afford the median rent without exceeding the 30% affordability threshold. This figure reflects a 28.6% increase in the income needed compared to 2020, underscoring how rental costs in the city have outpaced wage growth over recent years.
Nationally, the financial strain is even more apparent. The average renter in the U.S. requires an annual income of $80,949 to comfortably afford rent, a 34.5% increase from five years ago. The average monthly rent has risen to $2,024, while Dallas remains slightly more affordable with median rents at around $1,785 and a renter affordability rate of 23.2%. This positions Dallas below the national rent burden threshold, offering some respite compared to pricier metros such as New York or Los Angeles, which demand six-figure incomes.
These numbers are part of a broader trend of surging rental costs outpacing income growth since the start of the pandemic. Nationwide, rents for a typical apartment have climbed 28.7%, and single-family home rents have increased by 42.9%. While Dallas remains relatively affordable, the rising costs highlight the growing challenges of achieving financial stability in a rental market that continues to tighten.
Renters in Dallas and beyond face increasing pressure, making it crucial to carefully evaluate housing budgets and explore tools like Zillow’s rent affordability calculator for informed decision-making.
SOURCE | Zillow
Income Needed to Rent Comfortably in 50 U.S. Cities Including DallasĀ was originally published on 93qcountry.com
1. New York City, NY
Income Needed: $144,960
ZORI: $3,624
Rate of Change Since 2020: 24.8%
2. San Jose, CA
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $136,532
ZORI: $3,413
Rate of Change Since 2020: 13.0%
3. Boston, MA
Income Needed: $127,007
ZORI: $3,175
Rate of Change Since 2020: 26.8%
4. San Francisco, CA
Income Needed: $124,267
ZORI: $3,107
Rate of Change Since 2020: 9.3%
5. San Diego, CA
Income Needed: $122,810
ZORI: $3,070
Rate of Change Since 2020: 40.8%
6. Los Angeles, CA
Income Needed: $118,958
ZORI: $2,974
Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.3%
7. Miami, FL
Income Needed: $109,962
ZORI: $2,749
Rate of Change Since 2020: 54.4%
8. Riverside, CA
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $102,722
ZORI: $2,568
Rate of Change Since 2020: 45.6%
9. Washington D.C.
Income Needed: $97,179
ZORI: $2,429
Rate of Change Since 2020: 24.4%
10. Sacramento, CA
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $94,002
ZORI: $2,350
Rate of Change Since 2020: 30.7%
11. Seattle, WA
Income Needed: $90,840
ZORI: $2,271
Rate of Change Since 2020: $90,840
12. Providence, RI
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $87,829
ZORI: $2,196
Rate of Change Since 2020: 51.2%
13. Chicago, IL
Income Needed: $87,428
ZORI: $2,186
Rate of Change Since 2020: 31.1%
14. Tampa, FL
Income Needed: $86,301
ZORI: $2,158
Rate of Change Since 2020: 52.0%
15. Orlando, FL
Income Needed: $81,789
ZORI: $2,045
Rate of Change Since 2020: 37.5%
16. Denver, CO
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $78,862
ZORI: $1,972
Rate of Change Since 2020: 22.8%
17. Hartford, CT
Income Needed: $77,119
ZORI: $1,928
Rate of Change Since 2020: 45.2%
18. Philadelphia, PA
Income Needed: $77,058
ZORI: $1,926
Rate of Change Since 2020: 29.0%
19. Atlanta, GA
Income Needed: $76,745
ZORI: $1,919
Rate of Change Since 2020: 36.3%
20. Baltimore, MD
Income Needed: $75,158
ZORI: $1,879
Rate of Change Since 2020: 29.6%
21. Nashville, TN
Income Needed: $74,739
ZORI: $1,868
Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.8%
22. Phoenix, AZ
Income Needed: $74,101
ZORI: $1,853
Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.9%
23. Portland, OR
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $74,076
ZORI: $1,852
Rate of Change Since 2020: 24.2%
24. Charlotte, NC
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $72,091
ZORI: $1,802
Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.8%
25. Las Vegas, NV
Income Needed: $72,060
ZORI: $1,801
Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.6%
26. Virginia Beach, VA
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $71,908
ZORI: $1,798
Rate of Change Since 2020: 43.0%
27. Dallas, TX
Income Needed: $71,413
ZORI: $1,785
Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.6%
28. Raleigh, NC
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $70,451
ZORI: $1,761
Rate of Change Since 2020: 31.0%
29. Salt Lake City, UT
Income Needed: $69,881
ZORI: $1,747
Rate of Change Since 2020: 34.2%
30. Jacksonville, FL
Income Needed: $69,670
ZORI: $1,742
Rate of Change Since 2020: 36.7%
31. Austin, TX
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $68,840
ZORI: $1,721
Rate of Change Since 2020: 17.6%
32. Richmond, VA
Source:Radio One
Income Needed: $68,307
ZORI: $1,708
Rate of Change Since 2020: 40.2%
33. Houston, TX
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $67,731
ZORI: $1,693
Rate of Change Since 2020: 23.4%
34. Minneapolis, MN
Income Needed: $67,714
ZORI: $1,693
Rate of Change Since 2020: 17.6%
35. New Orleans, LA
Income Needed: $66,141
ZORI: $1,654
Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.7%
36. Indianapolis, IN
Income Needed: $64,391
ZORI: $1,610
Rate of Change Since 2020: 41.6%
37. Cincinnati, OH
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $63,444
ZORI: $1,586
Rate of Change Since 2020: 39.5%
38. Columbus, OH
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $62,493
ZORI: $1,562
Rate of Change Since 2020: 36.9%
39. Kansas City, MO
Income Needed: $61,457
ZORI: $1,536
Rate of Change Since 2020: 38.7%
40. Detroit, MI
Income Needed: $59,873
ZORI: $1,497
Rate of Change Since 2020: 38.5%
41. Pittsburgh, PA
Income Needed: $59,274
ZORI: $1,482
Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.2%
42. Milwaukee, WI
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $59,139
ZORI: $1,478
Rate of Change Since 2020: 32.6%
43. Memphis, TN
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $58,761
ZORI: $1,469
Rate of Change Since 2020: 37.7%
44. San Antonio, TX
Income Needed: $58,590
ZORI: $1,802
Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.8%
45. Cleveland, OH
Income Needed: $58,497
ZORI: $1,462
Rate of Change Since 2020: 40.9%
46. Birmingham, AL
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $57,428
ZORI: $1,436
Rate of Change Since 2020: 32.7%
47. St. Louis, MO
Income Needed: $57,104
ZORI: $1,428
Rate of Change Since 2020: 37.4%
48. Louisville, KY
Income Needed: $56,549
ZORI: $1,414
Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.7%
49. Oklahoma City, OK
Source:Getty
Income Needed: $55,634
ZORI: $1,391
Rate of Change Since 2020: 33.4%
50. Buffalo, NY
Income Needed: $55,319
ZORI: $1,383
Rate of Change Since 2020: 38.9%
