Arlington, TX vs Austin, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 20.5% cheaper than Austin. With a cost index of 101 vs 127, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to Austin should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,655/month in Austin — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $276,400 median vs $512,700.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $91,461 in Austin (-19.6%). The higher salaries in Austin partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in Austin.