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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Austin is 34% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,655/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 37%
$91,461/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 53%
$512,700 ↓ 41%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 69%
$1,747/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 38%
967,862
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $620/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $7,440/year.

Median household income is $48,699/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Arlington — common questions

Is Austin or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Arlington?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $620/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Arlington?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $48,699/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Arlington details →

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