Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Amarillo, TX (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Arlington is 194% more expensive than Amarillo.

$2,275/mo ↑ 117%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 54%
$140,160/yr ↑ 124%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 55%
$864,800 ↑ 363%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 78%
$2,414/mo ↑ 125%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 56%
235,463
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,226/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $14,712/year.

Median household income is $77,691/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Arlington or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Amarillo?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $1,226/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Amarillo?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $77,691/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,049/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Amarillo details →

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