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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Sacramento is 39% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,694/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 18%
$83,753/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 12%
$484,600 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 43%
$1,752/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 19%
524,802
Population
394,769

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $305/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $3,660/year.

Median household income is $10,234/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs Arlington — common questions

Is Sacramento or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Arlington?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $305/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Arlington?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $10,234/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

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