Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

Arlington is 48% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,389/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 24%
$73,519/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 24%
$276,400 ↑ 86%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 46%
$1,420/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 28%
394,769
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $330/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $3,960/year.

Median household income is $17,832/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Montgomery — common questions

Is Arlington or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Montgomery?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $330/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Montgomery?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $17,832/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Montgomery details →

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