| Index | Arlington | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 105 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Arlington? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Arlington stands at 101, making it 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Arlington aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Arlington residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 23 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Arlington. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 48% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 52% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Arlington an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Arlington, the median home price is 1% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 13.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Arlington come in at $93,448, which is 14.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Arlington, the groceries index is 3.4% lower than the national average.
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 Arlington, the transportation index is 3.1% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Arlington, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 0%.
The cost of living data for Arlington shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $129,793 | $10,816 | $3,028 | $3,894 |
| Renters | $62,727 | $5,227 | $1,464 | $1,882 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Horseshoe Bend, TX | 641 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Cockrell Hill, TX | 4,306 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Everman, TX | 6,422 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Forest Hill, TX | 13,444 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Blue Mound, TX | 2,372 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 101 | 0.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Orleans, LA | 406,893 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Tampa, FL | 403,927 | 114 | 14.5% |
| Tulsa, OK | 411,711 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Wichita, KS | 398,457 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Aurora, CO | 393,102 | 126 | 25.9% |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 101 | 0.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Texas
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the largest cities in Texas
Safest Cities In The US