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

Irving

Texas
102
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Irving is 50% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,517/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 50%
$79,641/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 76%
$287,300 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 201%
$1,521/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 59%
255,036
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irving, TX and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 102 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $758/month cheaper in Irving, saving renters about $9,096/year.

Median household income is $60,519/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irving is $287,300 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving vs Arlington — common questions

Is Irving or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Irving is cheaper to live in with an index of 102 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irving and Arlington?
Median rent in Irving is $1,517/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $758/month.
Which city has higher income, Irving or Arlington?
Median household income is $79,641 in Irving and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $60,519/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 Irving or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Irving has a cost index of 102 with median rent of $1,517/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 Irving details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Irving and Arlington

Irving vs. Laredo Irving vs. Chesapeake Irving vs. St. Petersburg Irving vs. Winston-Salem Irving vs. Lubbock Irving vs. Glendale Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane