Are you moving to Arlington, Tx in 2021? Or planning to move anytime soon?
We’ve gathered the ten best reasons to move to Arlington along with this ultimate guide.
The American Dream City of Arlington, Texas is located in Tarrant County. It is centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington, TX. The city has 400,316 residents in 2021 spread across 99 square miles of land.
With its low cost of living and employment rate below the national average, Arlington is one of the most desirable places to live. Large corporations have also chosen to hold their operations there because of the low taxes.
Arlington is also home to a variety of well-known tourist destinations that attract thousands of visitors every year. From annual art festivals to major sports events and world-class theme parks like Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington features several of these tourist attractions throughout the year.
Moving to Arlington, TX Relocation Guide for 2021
First of all, relocating to a new place can be daunting, but that doesn’t have to be the case for you.
Arlington is a great place to live if you’re considering moving to the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex.
No matter if you’ve lived in Texas your entire life or just moved to the Lone Star State for the first time, here are some things you need to know before moving to Arlington.
1. Low Tax Rates
Arlington, like the rest of Texas, has no income taxes and very low corporation tax rates. It is one of the reasons why large companies have moved their headquarters to Texas in recent years. General Motors’ Arlington plant is the only manufacturer of Suburbans, Tahoes, Escalades, and Yukons in the world. The company produces approximately 1,140 vehicles at the Arlington Assembly plant every day and pays $1 Million in wages.
Other well-known companies in the Arlington metropolitan area are the National Semiconductor Wafer Plant, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV, Texas Health Resources, Mensa International, and D. R. Horton.
As a result of the city’s growing popularity, the property tax is 2.32% above the state average.
2. Competitive Housing Market
Arlington’s estimated median home value is $208,600, although home prices do vary depending on the area or part of the city you’re going to call home. As an example, the median home value in Dalworthington Gardens is $268,400, while in the East neighborhood, it is only $164,300.
If you prefer to rent a home rather than purchase, you’ll have plenty of options as 40% of people in Arlington rent their property. You can rent a property with a typical average rent price coming in at $1500 per month.
3. Low Cost of Living
The median household age in Arlington is 29 years old, and the median household income is $53,055, just $30 below the state median. Arlington, however, stands out from many other cities because of its low cost of living.
Compared to national averages, Arlington’s food and health costs are below average, but its accommodation and transportation costs are above average.
A family of four spends a lot less per month in Arlington than in other places in the country. With a family budget calculator, we calculated that an Arlington family of four would plan to spend about $6,410 per month and $77,356 yearly. While the same family of four should consider spending $88,500 in Chicago.
4. Economy and Job Market
In 2019, Arlington experienced a 2.7% increase in employment, continuing its steady growth after the recession. Additionally, the unemployment rate is below the national average at 3.5% and is expected to increase by 38.9% over the next ten years.
Many multinational corporations, such as Toyota and Amazon, have moved their headquarters to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex in recent years, providing North Texas residents thousands of job opportunities. Furthermore, Dallas has additional major industries in technology, solar industries, financial services, and defense, while Fort Worth is mainly manufacturing, oil, and gas capital. Arlington is ideally located in the center of the metroplex, making commuting to the Dallas or Fort Worth areas easy and convenient.
For those searching for a new career in Arlington, there are a variety of options from entry-level to senior level. Arlington’s largest employer is Texas Health Resources, which is also one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems.
5. Weather
Arlington has a humid subtropical climate. Summers in the city are hot and humid, while winters are mild to cool. July and August are the hottest months of the summer when temperatures can often reach triple digits. On the other hand, in the winter, the weather is milder, with temperatures ranging between 50 and 60 degrees during the day and 30 to 40 degrees at night.
Located in North Texas, the city is prone to super-cell thunderstorms, which can bring hail and tornadoes. Most of the city’s precipitation occurs in May when the city usually receives the most rain. Snow falls occasionally during the winter, although it is rare.
6. Transportation
Arlington lies in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, giving its residents quick access to numerous highways and interstates. Arlington is a great option for commuters who want to settle outside Dallas since it is only 20 miles away.
Commuters, however, may face some drawbacks. Arlington is the largest city in the country without a public transportation system. It does not have a fixed-route bus system or a rail system. Arlington does not have mass transit, so you’ll need a car to get around. Instead, passengers can use Via Ride or Drive.ai, where they can book a ride with their devices.
While Arlington has its own municipal airport, DFW Airport is the area’s largest commercial airport and is only 12 miles from downtown Arlington. The airport is ranked the eighth busiest in the world by passenger traffic. This airport is a hub for American Airlines and features flights to over 200 international and domestic destinations around the world.
7. Education
A total of 60,000 students attend the Arlington independent school district, making it the state’s 11th largest school district. Throughout the years, the district has been recognized for its high-quality education. As a result, Arlington schools are also known for their successful athletic teams, which consistently win state competitions. Besides The University of Texas, Arlington Baptist College, and Tarrant County College, Arlington is also home to many higher education institutions that offer enriching events to its residents.
UT Arlington (or UTA) is the largest university in North Texas. Over 40,000 students attend the university, making it a valuable resource for Arlington and its economy.
Several buildings on the UT Arlington campus are among the oldest buildings in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Preston Hall, Ransom Hall, College Hall, and the original Arlington High School are some of them.
8. Sports
Sports fans will find plenty to enjoy in Arlington. Arlington is home to sports stadiums in Dallas: Globe Life Park that hosts the Texas Rangers and the $1 billion AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play.
9. Entertainment
There are a lot of options to keep you entertained in Arlington besides the sports stadiums. Visitors can also visit the first-ever Six Flags Over Texas theme park, as well as Hurricane Harbor. If relaxation is your goal, you can enjoy one of the award-winning parks or Lake Arlington.
10. Downtown Arlington
There is a lot of activity in downtown Fort Worth-Arlington. The city is home to the Museum of Art, theatres, live music, restaurants, festivals, and a vast shopping complex. It’s a fact that there will always be something to do if you move to Arlington.
Is it cheap to live in Arlington TX?
We know earlier that Arlington’s low cost of living and employment rate below the national average make it one of the most desirable places to live.
Arlington ranked as one of two Texas cities that saved the most money. GOBankingRates ranked it the No. 7 best cities for saving money in its study last year. The city is a low-cost city with a high median household income. WalletHub ranked Arlington the fourth-best city in the nation for finding a job, and Forbes named Arlington one of the top places to buy a home in 2014.
Arlington Electric and Water Utilities
1. Electricity
As part of Texas’s deregulated market, Arlington residents have the power to choose their energy provider. There are a lot of electric companies in Arlington TX to choose from with competitive prices, green energy sources, and different types of energy plans that will best fit your needs. The utility company responsible for maintenance and distribution is the Arlington Electric Utility.
Electric Rates
- Residential – Within the City Limits have a $5.50 fixed charge per month and a fixed charge of $11.00 per month for Outside the City Limits. Both have an all-kilowatt hour per month at $0.09/kWh and a fluctuating electric adjustment rate per month.
- Commercial – Within the City Limits have a $16.50 fixed charge per month and a $27.50 fixed charge per month for outside city limits. With both areas having an all-kilowatt hours per month $0.09/kWh and fluctuating electric adjustment rate per month.
Note that cited rates are subject to a fuel and purchase power adjustment based on the city’s purchase power costs.
2. Water
City facilities are responsible for producing, storing, and distributing water to all residents, businesses, and industries. The water rate is $5.86/1,000 gallons plus a variable fixed rate
