Seattle vs Arlington
Cost of Living (2026)

Arlington is 37% more affordable than Seattle.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K
VS

Arlington, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexArlington indexDifference
Housing198122 ✓-76%
Groceries14189 ✓-52%
Transportation14091 ✓-49%
Healthcare14591 ✓-54%
Utilities13591 ✓-44%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Arlington

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in ArlingtonDifference
$60,000$38,000$-22,000
$80,000$50,000$-30,000
$100,000$63,000$-37,000
$130,000$81,000$-49,000
$150,000$94,000$-56,000
$200,000$125,000$-75,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Arlington, TX, Arlington comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 94 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 37%.

State income tax impact

Both Washington and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Seattle is $780,000, compared to $310,000 in Arlington. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $1,280/month in Arlington.

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