Skyline of Arlington
Cost of Living: 100 400,000

Arlington, TX, US

Entertainment hub with AT&T Stadium, Six Flags, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Arlington is a city in TX with a population of 400,000. Entertainment hub with AT&T Stadium, Six Flags, and the University of Texas at Arlington. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The population skews young, with a median age of 33.6.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 108

Above Average

Median Income $60,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Arlington vs US Average

Cost of Living
Arlington: 100
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Arlington: 108
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $60,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 400,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 230/year
  • Summer High: 96°F
  • Winter Low: 38°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $300,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1300/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Arlington's cost of living index is 100 (US average = 100).

CategoryArlingtonNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing108100+8.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$300,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$200

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Arlington:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$88Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$42Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$27Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$65Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$317Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Arlington scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 100
Rent
— $1300
Sunny Days
— 230
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.5%
Climate
— 96°F / 38°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 400,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Arlington has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January58°F38°F2.5"
April81°F53°F2.8"
July96°F71°F1.5"
October76°F56°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Arlington faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Hurricane High Risk

Gulf Coast frequently affected by hurricanes.

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding and flash floods.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in western regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8.25%
  • Property Tax: ~1.8% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

50/100
School Quality Score
Better than 37% of US cities
?
99
Total Schools
9.9:1
Student:Teacher
92.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#635
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Texas at Arlington

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Arlington is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
7.2%
Black or African American
21.9%
Hispanic or Latino
31.0%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.4%
Other
0.4%
Two or more races
3.1%
White
35.8%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.1%
High school graduate
23.3%
Less than high school
14.0%
Some college
29.6%

Religion

Buddhist
1.0%
Christian
74.0%
Hindu
1.0%
Jewish
1.0%
Muslim
1.0%
Other
2.0%
Unaffiliated
20.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Arlington, TX, US?

The cost of living index in Arlington is 100, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Arlington?

The median home price in Arlington is $300,000. The housing index is 108.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Arlington is approximately $1300/mo.

Does Arlington, TX have income tax?

Arlington is in TX, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Arlington?

Arlington enjoys approximately 230 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 96°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.