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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Arlington is 45% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,389/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 50%
$73,519/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 32%
$276,400 ↓ 60%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 148%
$1,420/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 50%
394,769
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $695/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $8,340/year.

Median household income is $23,891/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Rosa — common questions

Is Arlington or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $695/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $23,891/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Santa Rosa details →

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