Phoenix vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 6% more affordable than Phoenix. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Arizona's 2.5%.

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At a glance

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100
State income tax2.5%
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo
Median home price$395K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPhoenix indexArlington indexDifference
Housing130122 ✓-8%
Groceries9589 ✓-6%
Transportation9691 ✓-5%
Healthcare9791 ✓-6%
Utilities9691 ✓-5%

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

Salary equivalency: Phoenix → Arlington

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

Salary in PhoenixEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$54,000$-6,000
$80,000$73,000$-7,000
$100,000$91,000$-9,000
$130,000$118,000$-12,000
$150,000$136,000$-14,000
$200,000$181,000$-19,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Phoenix, AZ and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 100 for Phoenix — a difference of approximately 6%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington workers an immediate 2.5% take-home pay advantage over Phoenix workers who pay Arizona's 2.5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Phoenix is $395,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,450/month in Phoenix versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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