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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Riverside

California
144

Arlington is 34% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,389/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 30%
$73,519/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 20%
$276,400 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 96%
$1,420/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 32%
394,769
Population
316,241

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $423/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $5,076/year.

Median household income is $15,056/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Riverside — common questions

Is Arlington or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Riverside?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $423/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Riverside?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $15,056/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Riverside details →

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