Cost of Living: Los Angeles, CA vs Arlington, TX (2026)

Los Angeles

California
187
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Los Angeles is 97% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,879/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 26%
$80,366/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 9%
$879,500 ↑ 218%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 69%
$2,055/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 31%
3,857,897
Population
394,769

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

28.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Los Angeles, CA and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 187 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $490/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $5,880/year.

Median household income is $6,847/year higher in Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Los Angeles is $879,500 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles vs Arlington — common questions

Is Los Angeles or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Arlington?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $1,879/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $490/month.
Which city has higher income, Los Angeles or Arlington?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $6,847/year higher in Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Los Angeles or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Los Angeles has a cost index of 187 with median rent of $1,879/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Los Angeles details → View Arlington details →

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