Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Fairfield, CA (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Arlington is 43% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,389/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 58%
$73,519/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 39%
$276,400 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 114%
$1,420/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 57%
394,769
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $802/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $9,624/year.

Median household income is $28,802/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Arlington or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fairfield?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $802/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fairfield?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $28,802/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fairfield details →

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