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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Fort Worth is 52% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,412/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 61%
$76,602/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 83%
$277,300 ↓ 68%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 212%
$1,489/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 62%
941,311
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $863/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $10,356/year.

Median household income is $63,558/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Arlington — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Arlington?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $863/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Arlington?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $63,558/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 Fort Worth or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/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 Fort Worth details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Worth and Arlington

Fort Worth vs. Jacksonville Fort Worth vs. Columbus Fort Worth vs. Austin Fort Worth vs. Charlotte Fort Worth vs. San Jose Fort Worth vs. Indianapolis Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane