Median rent is 14% lower in Arlington ($1,470/mo vs $1,701/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $304,700 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 vs $75,171 a year). Taken together, Tampa is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$74,988
You could earn $12 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Tampa
Florida
👥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 rent is modestly lower in Arlington at $1,470/mo compared to $1,701/mo in Tampa (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tampa: the median home is $420,400 versus $304,700 in Arlington — 28% more expensive.
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
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Arlington has cleaner air on average: 55.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,470/mo median).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 55.0).
Is Arlington cheaper than Tampa?
Tampa 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 Tampa.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL. Arlington, TX has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Tampa?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $75,475 in Tampa, FL. Tampa, FL 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 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Tampa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,983 in Tampa, FL (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
