A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
1%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Dickinson Texas National
Cost of living9892100
Goods & Services10196100
Groceries9895100
Health care9697100
Housing9983100
Transportation9692100
Utilities91102100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dickinson, TX

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Dickinson is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Dickinson is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Dickinson, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Dickinson will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Dickinson Affordable?

Wondering if Dickinson is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Dickinson, for example, the median home price is 6.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 11.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Dickinson boasting a median household income of $106,227, which is 30.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dickinson?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Dickinson, the transportation index is 4.3% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Dickinson, the utilities index is 8.7% lower than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Dickinson, the housing index stands at 1.1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Dickinson cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dickinson is 7% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Dickinson is 2% lower than the national average
  • Dickinson housing is 1% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Dickinson

See all the best places to live around Dickinson

Compare Dickinson, TX Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Dickinson?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Dickinson?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Dickinson poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$129,271$10,773$3,016$3,879
      Renters$55,901$4,658$1,304$1,677
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Dickinson is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Dickinson has a median income of about $129,271 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $3,016 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $55,901. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,304 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.93$27.622.5%
      Beauty Salon $66.13$51.1129.4%
      Toothpaste $4.18$4.092.1%
      Shampoo $1.52$1.541.4%
      Movie $12.48$12.883.1%
      Yoga $23.47$19.6619.4%

      Groceries

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.30$7.705.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.660.1%
      Milk $4.60$4.732.8%
      Potatoes $5.45$5.263.7%
      Pizza $12.36$12.763.2%
      Beer $10.84$10.552.8%

      Health Care

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $184.55$140.0631.8%
      Doctor $105.70$153.8231.3%
      Dentist $149.33$123.1521.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.68$11.730.4%
      Lipitor $16.38$23.6130.6%

      Housing

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $306,080.00$326,622.006.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,950.49$2,480.2521.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,605.00$1,444.0011.1%

      Transportation

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.68$3.0612.3%
      Tire Balancing $75.02$65.2115.0%

      Utilities

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $185.39$220.1215.8%
      Phone $201.96$195.713.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Liverpool, TX5338614.5%
      South Houston, TX17,971909.9%
      La Marque, TX17,391918.9%
      Hitchcock, TX8,085918.9%
      Texas City, TX50,965936.7%
      Dickinson, TX21,358981.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Moline, IL21,3588613.9%
      Sidney, OH21,359928.1%
      South El Monte, CA21,35314847.9%
      Lebanon, OH21,3511011.4%
      Marquette, MI21,369955.2%
      Dickinson, TX21,358981.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.