Arlington, TX vs Pasadena, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Pasadena is 15.4% cheaper than Arlington. With a cost index of 87 vs 101, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Pasadena to Arlington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,201/month in Pasadena — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pasadena is more affordable at $193,600 median vs $276,400.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $64,270 in Pasadena (+14.4%). 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, more than the 22.4% in Pasadena.