How much do I need to make in Dallas to live confortable?

Question

Hi I'm from NYC and plan to move to Dallas. Can anyone give me an idea of how much I need to make a year to cover all my expenses, party every once in a while and have some savings. I'm not very materialistic so buying a ton of clothes is not necessary, not into expensive cars and I'm 24 male if that helps.

Answer 1

I agree with the 40-50k. But it's relative to what you consider "comfortable." Check out this website to get specifics on particular areas in and around DFW:  http://www.bestplaces.net/

You'll definitely be more "comfortable" here compared to how much you would have to make in NYC to be "comfortable." Lots of people are moving into Texas and DFW because it is an affordable big city!

Answer 2

You need to make 40-50 thousand a year for a comfortable living in Dallas.

Answer 3

I agree with everyone here; you can probably even do okay at 30K+ if you are pretty frugal.  You can save progressively more on rent/housing if you are willing to move out of the city and into the 'burbs or a more rural area.  You will have a car payment + car insurance, and make sure your car has air conditioning!  It will probably be 100 degrees through September!

Answer 4

I would say $50k.  Every time I made under that, I struggled a lot.  Apartment is going to run you between $750 and $2500, depending on where you want to live (more for high-end luxury, less for total ghetto), electric is going to be about $150 a month in the summer, gas is going to be about $25 a month, water and trash and sewer are generally covered by the landlord.  Gas is right at $4/gallon, and you have to have a car to get around, so that will run you about $350 a month.  Plus insurance, etc.  Just like any other city, you can party cheap, or you can party expensive.  All that is negotiable, but living expenses won't change.

Answer 5

if you live comfortably in new york, youll probably live comfortable making the same or even a little less in dallas

Answer 6

Are you going to live in an apartment?  If so, plan on $700 plus.  Utilities, telephone, cable, satellite approximately $250

The average price of gasoline right now is $3.95/gallon.

You need to get a good job with benefits before you come here if possible.  So line up something on the internet.  A large company is always good.

You don't have to have lots of winter clothes either. This is a wonderful thing.  Coming from NYC this is probably hard tp believe, but our weather here is a bit on the HOT side this time of year.  Good luck to you!

If you plan on purchasing a home, the homes here are very reasonable.  We have lots of people moving here for this very reason!

Answer 7

Since you are not materialistic I would say about 40k.  Depends on location, where you want to live is really the big question.  You can get something form $700 to well there is no max here in dallas.  You probably don't have a car coming from NYC which I would invest in now before you get here.  That way you can start paying on it.  Add about 400 for a car plus insurance...300 on utlities and extra bills...2000 to cover everything if you are modest and don't have a room mate.  You will have left over money if you make 40k. I would suggest getting a room mate the first year you are here to help with your cost and try to find a place to buy.  You can also check out different cities like Addison, Plano Mckinney and see which one works for you. If you make more than 40k than you can have upgrades better neighborhood that sort of thing...but since your 24...even if your at 35k or so you should be fine.  I'm 22 and make about 35k..things are a good could be better if I didn't have to pay  200 bucks a week on day care not including everything else for my son.  Anyway wish you luck

Answer 8

im not old enough to like answer this but i would like to help im in dallas now an like its pretty sweet here

the pros are

nice clubs

nice places an things to do an really close to cooler cities like fortworth and plano an richardson

cons

lots of tollways

expensive to eat out like $14 dollars a meal so like taking a girl on a dat u know

umm tons of traffic but i bet u know how that is.

umm i dont know how much like 1000-2000 dollars a month or so if ur going to party an date an eat an life maybe a lil extra or so when u start moving in good luck texas is the friendly state so yea

umm hope this was helpful

im only 15 but i understand economics so kwl goodluck

Answer 9

I make $40K and eat out almost every day, so I'd say I live very comfortably on my salary. Of course comfort is subjective.