Arlington, TX vs Mesquite, TX

Arlington, TX and Mesquite, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Arlington scores 101 while Mesquite scores 97 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 $1,407/month in Mesquite — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arlington has cheaper rent, Mesquite actually has lower median home values ($226,500 vs $276,400).

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $71,843 in Mesquite (+2.3%). The higher salaries in Arlington 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 23.5% in Mesquite.