Atlanta vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 5% more affordable than Atlanta. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Georgia's 5.75%.

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At a glance

Atlanta, GA

COL index99
State income tax5.75%
Avg 1BR rent$1,550/mo
Median home price$390K
VS

Arlington, TX

COL index94 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo ✓
Median home price$310K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAtlanta indexArlington indexDifference
Housing129122 ✓-7%
Groceries9489 ✓-5%
Transportation9591 ✓-4%
Healthcare9691 ✓-5%
Utilities9591 ✓-4%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Atlanta → Arlington

What salary in Arlington gives you the same purchasing power as your Atlanta salary?

Salary in AtlantaEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$52,000$-8,000
$80,000$70,000$-10,000
$100,000$87,000$-13,000
$130,000$113,000$-17,000
$150,000$131,000$-19,000
$200,000$174,000$-26,000

Atlanta vs Arlington: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 99 for Atlanta — a difference of approximately 5%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington workers an immediate 5.75% take-home pay advantage over Atlanta workers who pay Georgia's 5.75% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Atlanta is $390,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,550/month in Atlanta versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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