Dallas vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 2% more affordable than Dallas.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Dallas, TX

COL index96
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo
Median home price$340K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDallas indexArlington indexDifference
Housing125122 ✓-3%
Groceries9189 ✓-2%
Transportation9291 ✓-1%
Healthcare9391 ✓-2%
Utilities9391 ✓-2%

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

Salary equivalency: Dallas → Arlington

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

Salary in DallasEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$59,000$-1,000
$80,000$78,000$-2,000
$100,000$98,000$-2,000
$130,000$127,000$-3,000
$150,000$147,000$-3,000
$200,000$196,000$-4,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Dallas, TX and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 96 for Dallas — a difference of approximately 2%.

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 Dallas is $340,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,380/month in Dallas versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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