Plano vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 10% more affordable than Plano.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Plano, TX

COL index105
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,500/mo
Median home price$430K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPlano indexArlington indexDifference
Housing137122 ✓-15%
Groceries10089 ✓-11%
Transportation10091 ✓-9%
Healthcare10291 ✓-11%
Utilities10091 ✓-9%

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

Salary equivalency: Plano → Arlington

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

Salary in PlanoEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$54,000$-6,000
$80,000$72,000$-8,000
$100,000$90,000$-10,000
$130,000$116,000$-14,000
$150,000$134,000$-16,000
$200,000$179,000$-21,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 105 for Plano — a difference of approximately 10%.

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 Plano is $430,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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