Cost of Living in Arlington, TX

With a cost of living index of 101, Arlington, TX is right around the national average in cost. Living here is 1% more expensive than the national average and 13% above the Texas state average of 88. As a major city with a population of 394,769, Arlington offers a wide range of housing options, employment opportunities, and urban amenities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Arlington's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,389 (5% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $276,400 (9% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.8x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Arlington is $73,519, which is 2% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 23% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.