Fort Worth vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 1% less expensive than Arlington.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Fort Worth, TX

COL index93
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo
Median home price$315K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryFort Worth indexArlington indexDifference
Housing121122+1%
Groceries89890%
Transportation9091+1%
Healthcare9091+1%
Utilities91910%

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

Salary equivalency: Fort WorthArlington

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

Salary in Fort WorthEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$61,000+$1,000
$80,000$81,000+$1,000
$100,000$101,000+$1,000
$130,000$131,000+$1,000
$150,000$152,000+$2,000
$200,000$202,000+$2,000

Fort Worth vs Arlington: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Fort Worth, TX and Arlington, TX, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 94 for Arlington — a difference of approximately 1%.

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 Fort Worth is $315,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,280/month in Fort Worth versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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