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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Salinas

California
156

Arlington is 39% cheaper than Salinas.

$1,389/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,923/mo ↑ 38%
$73,519/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$89,150/yr ↑ 21%
$276,400 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$610,900 ↑ 121%
$1,420/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,912/mo ↑ 35%
394,769
Population
161,993

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
25.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Salinas, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 156 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $534/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $6,408/year.

Median household income is $15,631/year higher in Salinas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $610,900 in Salinas.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Salinas — common questions

Is Arlington or Salinas cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 156 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Salinas?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Salinas it's $1,923/month — a difference of $534/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Salinas?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $89,150 in Salinas. Median household income is $15,631/year higher in Salinas.
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 Salinas?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Salinas has a cost index of 156 with rent of $1,923/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Salinas details →

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