New York City vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 50% more affordable than New York City. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs New York's 6.85%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

New York City, NY

COL index187
State income tax6.85%
Avg 1BR rent$3,400/mo
Median home price$750K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryNew York City indexArlington indexDifference
Housing247122 ✓-125%
Groceries17589 ✓-86%
Transportation17391 ✓-82%
Healthcare18091 ✓-89%
Utilities16491 ✓-73%

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

Salary equivalency: New York City → Arlington

What salary in Arlington gives you the same purchasing power as your New York City salary?

Salary in New York CityEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$27,000$-33,000
$80,000$36,000$-44,000
$100,000$45,000$-55,000
$130,000$59,000$-71,000
$150,000$68,000$-82,000
$200,000$91,000$-109,000

New York City vs Arlington: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between New York City, NY and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 187 for New York City — a difference of approximately 50%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington workers an immediate 6.85% take-home pay advantage over New York City workers who pay New York's 6.85% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in New York City is $750,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,400/month in New York City versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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