Arlington, TX vs Plano, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arlington is 20.3% cheaper than Plano. With a cost index of 101 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arlington to Plano should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,792/month in Plano — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $276,400 median vs $440,600.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $108,649 in Plano (-32.3%). While Plano is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Plano.