Median rent is 19% lower in Arlington ($1,470/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $304,700 versus $777,600. Households earn more in New York ($80,483 vs $75,171 a year). Taken together, Arlington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 112.6 — about 9% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Arlington is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Arlington vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$82,431
You'd need $7,431 more (10% higher).
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
New York
New York
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 Arlington at $1,470/mo compared to $1,821/mo in New York (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $304,700 in Arlington — 61% more expensive.
Metric
Arlington
New York
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
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New York has cleaner air on average: 46.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Arlington if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 112.6).
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,483/yr).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,470/mo median).
Pick New York if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 46.0).
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Arlington.
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,821/mo in New York, NY. Arlington, TX has the lower rent by about 19%.
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $80,483 in New York, NY. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 46.0 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 $109,908 in New York, NY (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
