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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Oakland is 105% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,917/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 28%
$97,369/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 24%
$924,700 ↑ 235%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 70%
$2,164/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 34%
438,072
Population
394,769

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $528/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $6,336/year.

Median household income is $23,850/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 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

Oakland vs Arlington — common questions

Is Oakland or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Arlington?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $528/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Arlington?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $23,850/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Arlington details →

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