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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Arlington is 46% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,275/mo ↑ 27%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 21%
$140,160/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$141,353/yr ≈ Same
$864,800 ↑ 80%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 45%
$2,414/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 17%
235,463
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $483/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $5,796/year.

Median household income is $1,193/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Arlington or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $483/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $1,193/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View The Woodlands details →

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