Houston vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 3% less expensive than Arlington.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexArlington indexDifference
Housing118 ✓122+4%
Groceries87 ✓89+2%
Transportation88 ✓91+3%
Healthcare88 ✓91+3%
Utilities89 ✓91+2%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Arlington

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$62,000+$2,000
$80,000$83,000+$3,000
$100,000$103,000+$3,000
$130,000$134,000+$4,000
$150,000$155,000+$5,000
$200,000$207,000+$7,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Arlington, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 94 for Arlington — a difference of approximately 3%.

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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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