Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Springfield, MA (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Springfield

Massachusetts
79

Arlington is 20% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,389/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,114/mo ↓ 20%
$73,519/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$51,339/yr ↓ 30%
$276,400 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$222,700 ↓ 19%
$1,420/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,276/mo ↓ 10%
394,769
Population
154,751

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Springfield, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $275/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $3,300/year.

Median household income is $22,180/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $222,700 in Springfield.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Springfield — common questions

Is Arlington or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Springfield?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Springfield it's $1,114/month — a difference of $275/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Springfield?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $51,339 in Springfield. Median household income is $22,180/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Massachusetts?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,114/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Springfield

Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans Springfield vs. Kansas City Springfield vs. Sunnyvale Springfield vs. Killeen Springfield vs. Hollywood Springfield vs. Lakewood Springfield vs. Roseville