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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Arlington is 69% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,389/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 115%
$73,519/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 136%
$276,400 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 453%
$1,420/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 115%
394,769
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,596/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $19,152/year.

Median household income is $100,151/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Arlington or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,596/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $100,151/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Santa Clara details →

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