Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Arlington is 28% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,389/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 28%
$73,519/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 9%
$276,400 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 65%
$1,420/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 25%
394,769
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $387/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $4,644/year.

Median household income is $6,416/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Arlington or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $387/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $6,416/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Fort Lauderdale

Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans Fort Lauderdale vs. Shreveport Fort Lauderdale vs. Chattanooga Fort Lauderdale vs. Newport News Fort Lauderdale vs. Aurora Fort Lauderdale vs. Mobile Fort Lauderdale vs. Ontario