Median rent is 1% lower in Arlington ($1,389/mo vs $1,403/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $276,400 versus $295,300. Households earn more in Arlington ($73,519 vs $67,760 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (103.4).
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 city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,389/mo in Arlington and $1,403/mo in Dallas. Median home values are within 6% of each other: $276,400 in Arlington and $295,300 in Dallas.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Texas; Dallas has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Arlington
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Dallas
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Both cities have similar air quality: Arlington averages 44.0 AQI (Good) and Dallas averages 44.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($73,519/yr).
Is Arlington cheaper than Dallas?
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 103.4 versus 103.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Dallas?
Median rent is $1,389/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,403/mo in Dallas, TX. Arlington, TX has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Dallas?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington, TX and $67,760 in Dallas, TX. Arlington, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Dallas, TX has better air quality on average: 44.0 AQI versus 44.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Dallas?
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Dallas to match my Arlington income?
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: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology