Arlington, TX vs Garland, TX

Arlington, TX and Garland, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Arlington scores 101 while Garland scores 103 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,525/month in Garland — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arlington has cheaper rent, Garland actually has lower median home values ($248,900 vs $276,400).

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $74,717 in Garland (-1.6%). The higher salaries in Garland 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, less than the 24.5% in Garland.