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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Arlington is 31% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,389/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 33%
$73,519/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 15%
$276,400 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 73%
$1,420/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 26%
394,769
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $453/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $5,436/year.

Median household income is $11,098/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Maria — common questions

Is Arlington or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $453/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $11,098/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Santa Maria details →

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