Median rent is 0% lower in Arlington ($1,470/mo vs $1,472/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $304,700 versus $320,700. Households earn more in Arlington ($75,171 vs $70,518 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (102.5).
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Dallas, TX
How much would you need to earn in Dallas, TX to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Dallas, TX
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
Dallas
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,470/mo in Arlington and $1,472/mo in Dallas. Median home values are within 5% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $320,700 in Dallas.
Metric
Arlington
Dallas
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Dallas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Arlington averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate) and Dallas averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,171/yr).
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Arlington.
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,472/mo in Dallas, TX. Arlington, TX has the lower rent by about 0%.
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $70,518 in Dallas, TX. Arlington, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Dallas, TX has better air quality on average: 55.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Dallas, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
