Los Angeles vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 42% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexArlington indexDifference
Housing215122 ✓-93%
Groceries15389 ✓-64%
Transportation15191 ✓-60%
Healthcare15791 ✓-66%
Utilities14591 ✓-54%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Arlington

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$30,000$-30,000
$80,000$40,000$-40,000
$100,000$50,000$-50,000
$130,000$65,000$-65,000
$150,000$75,000$-75,000
$200,000$100,000$-100,000

Los Angeles vs Arlington: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 42%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over Los Angeles workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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