Dallas isn’t the most expensive city to live in, but it’s also not the cheapest either. According to BestPlaces, Dallas is about 7% more expensive when compared to national averages. Though cost of living is determined by many factors that we have very little control over, such as home prices and the cost of transportation, there are many ways you can minimize your cost of living as a resident of the state’s capital.
Keep reading to learn about 5 different ways to lower your cost of living so that you can get the most bang for your buck, even when living in a booming city like Dallas.
1. Know Where to Buy (or Rent)
If you haven’t purchased a home or found an apartment yet, be sure that you’re choosing an area that’s affordable. Living in downtown Dallas is one of the most expensive areas to live in the city. But, you can still enjoy being near the hustle and bustle without the high costs. In fact, there are many suburbs that are extremely affordable, safe, and even family friendly.
Some of the most inexpensive suburbs include Briar, Wilmer, Ferris, Reno, and Cockrell Hill. By choosing to live outside of the downtown area, you can automatically greatly reduce your cost of living without being too far away from all of the action and sites.
2. Be More Energy-Efficient
In Dallas, utilities are more expensive when compared to what other residents of Texas are paying. In fact, utility costs are about 4% higher than the national average, according to PayScale. For a 915 square-foot home, you can expect to pay around $139.29 per month, which includes heating, electricity, water, and garbage. While this isn’t astronomically high, there are ways you can reduce your energy usage so that your bills are lower.
Ways to be more energy-efficient at home include:
- Use less hot water and reduce water heater temperature
- Install a smart thermostat
- Winterize your home
- Purchase energy-efficient appliances
- Turn off lights when not in use
These tips are especially useful during the warmer months when your home’s HVAC system is working overtime to keep your home cool and comfortable. However, these tips can save you plenty of money each month on utility costs throughout the year.
3. Compare Service Providers
Rarely is the first service provider you come across the best and most affordable option. If you’re looking to save money on phone, cable, and internet service providers, you’ll want to take the time to compare the options available to you. Use sites like digitalexits.com to compare the best internet providers in Dallas. Comparing prices and connection speeds will help you find the best rates.
There are several providers to choose from in Dallas including AT&T and Frontier. Both providers offer affordable packages, but you’ll need to decide if you want to be locked into a contract or not.
You can also save a great deal by bundling services. Typically providers offer discounted prices when you sign up for several services. Most commonly you’ll find package deals when bundling internet and phone, though you may be able to save even more money by adding television service.
4. Use Public Transportation
One of the biggest benefits of living in or near a large city is the availability of public transportation. If you’ve ever sat in city traffic, you know just how stressful it can be to own a car. If your home is close to your work and other important places like a grocery store and shopping center, consider selling your car and switching to public transportation.
Dallas offers the DART rail system that runs four different lines. There are also DART buses that run throughout many of the suburbs. By using public transportation, you no longer have to worry about auto insurance, gas, or maintenance expenses.
When riding DART, be sure to sign up for the monthly pass. For $96 all of your rides are covered for an entire 30 days.
5. Embrace Your Inner Chef
It can be quite tempting to eat out, especially when you’re surrounded by awesome Dallas restaurants. But, eating out too often can take a serious toll on your wallet. To keep your cost of living in check, cook meals at home and only go out for special occasions. If you’re craving a meal from your favorite restaurant, chances are you can find a replica recipe online that you can make in your own kitchen!
By eating at home, you can save hundreds of dollars per month. To save even more money, use coupons and shop for deals and sales when purchasing food.
Conclusion
The cost of living in Dallas may be expensive, but there are ways that you can stretch your money even further. Using these 5 tips, you can spend less money on cost of living expenses, giving you money funds to spend on entertainment or to put aside for vacation.
