Austin vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 15% more affordable than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexArlington indexDifference
Housing144122 ✓-22%
Groceries10489 ✓-15%
Transportation10591 ✓-14%
Healthcare10791 ✓-16%
Utilities10491 ✓-13%

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

Salary equivalency: Austin → Arlington

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

Salary in AustinEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$51,000$-9,000
$80,000$68,000$-12,000
$100,000$85,000$-15,000
$130,000$111,000$-19,000
$150,000$128,000$-22,000
$200,000$171,000$-29,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 15%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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