Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Salem, OR (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Salem

Oregon
105

Arlington is 10% cheaper than Salem.

$1,389/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,323/mo ↓ 5%
$73,519/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$71,900/yr ↓ 2%
$276,400 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$382,400 ↑ 38%
$1,420/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,440/mo ↑ 1%
394,769
Population
176,666

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Salem, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $66/month cheaper in Salem, saving renters about $792/year.

Median household income is $1,619/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $382,400 in Salem.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over Oregon's 9.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Salem — common questions

Is Arlington or Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Salem?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Salem it's $1,323/month — a difference of $66/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Salem?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $71,900 in Salem. Median household income is $1,619/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Oregon?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Salem has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,323/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Salem details →

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