Median rent is 7% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $304,700. Households earn more in Arlington ($75,171 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Houston is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.7 against 102.5 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Houston is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.7 in Houston vs 102.5 in Arlington (US national average = 100)
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$72,983
You could earn $2,017 less (3% lower) and break even.
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
Houston
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 rent is modestly lower in Houston at $1,361/mo compared to $1,470/mo in Arlington (7% gap). Median home values are within 9% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $277,800 in Houston.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Arlington has cleaner air on average: 55.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,171/yr).
Is Arlington cheaper than Houston?
Houston is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Houston.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Houston?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Houston?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $64,813 in Houston, 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?
Arlington, TX has better air quality on average: 55.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Houston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Houston to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $97,311 in Houston, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
