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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Arlington is 27% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,389/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 25%
$73,519/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 10%
$276,400 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 57%
$1,420/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 29%
394,769
Population
165,487

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 Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $347/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $4,164/year.

Median household income is $7,632/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Arlington or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Palmdale?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $347/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Palmdale?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $7,632/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Palmdale

Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona