CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Dallas, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostTX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
TX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Arlington and Dallas have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Arlington
117.9
Dallas
117.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Arlington
102.8
Dallas
102.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Arlington
104.7
Dallas
104.7
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Arlington
94.7
Dallas
94.7
Utilities≈ Equal
Arlington
90.7
Dallas
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Arlington to see what you'd need to earn in Dallas to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Dallas, TX
$80,000
Same salary works in both cities

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.0000. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.