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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Arlington is 23% cheaper than Lancaster.

$1,389/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 22%
$73,519/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 3%
$276,400 ↓ 32%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 48%
$1,420/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 23%
394,769
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $307/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $3,684/year.

Median household income is $2,564/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Arlington or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Lancaster?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $307/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Lancaster?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $2,564/year higher in Lancaster.
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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Lancaster details →

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