Cost of Living in Arlington, TX
Arlington's cost of living index is 98 — making it 2.0% more affordable than the US national average. To maintain your current standard of living here, you would need to earn $98,000 for every $100,000 of national-average income.
The Arlington Tax & Cost Impact
Since Texas has no state income tax, moving to Arlington provides an immediate "automatic raise" of roughly 5-10% for most W-2 employees compared to high-tax states.
Decision Matrix
- ✓Housing: Housing is a value-play compared to national tiers.
- ✓Savings Rate: To save $2,000/mo here, you need a gross household income of ~$82,320.
COL Index
98
100 = national avg
Monthly Budget
$4,900
vs $5,000 national
Population
0.4M
Metro area
State Tax
None
Texas
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in Arlington vs national average for a typical household.
| Category | National Avg | Arlington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,650 | $1,601 | -$49 |
| Groceries | $650 | $640 | -$10 |
| Transportation | $800 | $786 | -$14 |
| Healthcare | $400 | $394 | -$6 |
| Utilities | $300 | $294 | -$6 |
| Other | $1,200 | $1,181 | -$19 |
| Total | $5,000 | $4,900 | -$100 |
Salary Equivalent
To maintain the same standard of living in Arlington, a national-average salary translates to:
$50,000 nationally
$49,000
$75,000 nationally
$73,500
$100,000 nationally
$98,000
$150,000 nationally
$147,000
What Your Salary Gets You in Arlington
Here's how different salary levels translate to monthly purchasing power in Arlington, TX, where the cost of living is 2% below the national average.
Cities With Similar Cost of Living
FAQ: Cost of Living in Arlington
Is Arlington expensive to live in?
Arlington's cost of living index is 98, which is near the national average of 100. Housing is typically the biggest factor, with estimated monthly rent around $1,617.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Arlington?
To maintain a middle-class lifestyle in Arlington, you'd need approximately $73,500 per year, which is equivalent to a $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living.
How does Arlington compare to other cities?
Arlington is comparable in cost to Fort Worth, Charlotte, New Orleans. More affordable alternatives include Memphis, Tulsa, El Paso.