If you plan on moving to Arlington, TX soon, you might want to explore the cost of living and all the top reasons to relocate.
Arlington sits just 20 miles west of Dallas, and 15 miles east of Fort Worth. This city is located within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has nearly 7 million residents. Arlington is known as the American Dream City, and it ranks seventh-largest city in Texas with a population of 400,000 people. It forms an integral part of the metro area with a huge price gap. As Arlington’s cost of living is significantly lower than the national average, there is usually more variety in the prices. It is considered one of the great places to live where one can find affordable rent and home purchases.
For people who are planning to relocate to Arlington, we’ve compiled the answers to the most pressing questions.
Let’s get started.
Is Arlington, TX expensive or affordable?
Using data from the 75 largest cities in the United States, Move.org identified which had the most affordable cost of living and which had the most expensive.
Arlington ranked No. 12 with an average monthly expenditure of $1,520.29 — the highest in Northern Texas. Trailing behind is Plano at no. 24 with $1,672.87.
Typical monthly expenses were based on the following measurements:
- Rental cost of a one-bedroom apartment
- Utilities (energy, water, etc.)
- Internet Service
- Gasoline
- Food (groceries plus occasional restaurant meals)
Your career, salary average, and the real estate market in that area all have a significant bearing on the cost of living in the area you choose.
Cost of Utilities
There are two major pricing brackets for apartments. Around 45% cost between $500 and $1,500 per month, while the other 45% cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per month. The remaining ones are generally over $2,500 per month, but a few are less than $500.
Arlington’s average rental rates by apartment size are as follows:
- Studios – $775 per month
- One-bedroom apartments – $950 per month
- Two-bedroom unit – $1,225 per month
- Three-bedroom apartments – $1,750 per month
- Four-bedroom homes – $2,200 per month
Arlington still has a relatively low cost of living. Using a cost of living calculator, we can compare Arlington’s cost of living index against nearby Dallas, which has an index of 101.6. From this, we can see that Arlington’s cost of living is slightly lower, while it’s a bit higher than Fort Worth, whose index is 99.8.
For a better understanding of the cost of living index in Arlington, check out the data below:
Arlington Dallas Fort Worth Statewide Texas
cost of housing index 88.5. 92.9 85.5 84.3
cost of utility index 100 100 100.5 99.2
cost of transportation 114.6 117.1 113.9 103.3
Electricity
Arlington is part of the energy deregulation of the state of Texas, which means the residents can choose cheap energy prices in Arlington with many electricity providers. The average Arlington residential electricity rate is 11.97 ¢/kWh, 13% lower compared to the national average. While the average Arlington commercial electricity rate is 10.5 ¢/kWh which is 4% lower than the national average. In the summer months when it is hot and humid, expect a spike in your electricity bill due to long periods of air conditioning use.
Water
Arlington Water Utilities offers some of the lowest residential water rates in North Texas. Arlington’s average residential water and sewer bill is $58.96, including stormwater fees and residential garbage recycling fees. Each resident pays $2.02 per 2,000 gallons used per month. When you reach 3,000 gallons of water, you will be charged $2.79 per 1,000 gallons.
Internet
Arlington residents has plenty of options for affordable internet plans. You can get reliable home internet services starting at prices as low as $30/mo with 99% reliability from AT &T.
Transportation
Arlington is one of the largest cities in the country with no public transportation system. Increasing transportation costs are contributing to Arlington, Texas’s rising average cost of living. The average cost per year is $8,500.00. This figure includes payments for gas and cars. Gas prices tend to be below average, but traffic makes travel time longer.
However, passengers book a ride thru a smartphones app using Via Ride or Drive.ai. Riders can book a six-passenger Via minivan to a stop within a block or two of their starting point for anywhere between $3 and $5, depending on the distance they travel. Consequently, weekly passes, which are good for four trips a day, will rise from $15 to $25. In most cases, if you live near the metro and commute by public transit to work, the cost of SmarTrip can be as much as $165 per month (some routes are more expensive).
Tax-Friendly
The state of Texas doesn’t impose an income tax on its residents. If you’re living in Arlington, Texas, your paycheck will be tax-free except for the federal income taxes. By eliminating the state income tax, your take-home pay will increase and you will have more money for the basic costs of living. However, Texas has a 6.25% statewide sales tax. Depending on where you live, you may need to pay an additional local sales tax of up to 2%. Taxes and royalties on petroleum and natural gas production generate a great deal of revenue for Texas.
Healthcare Costs
In terms of overall healthcare access and affordability, Texas ranks 51st out of all states. Cost of living is affected significantly by health care costs. In order to determine how much you will pay for this crucial resource if you move to another state, you need to consider your ability to afford healthcare, as well as your access to care. The affordability of care is generally determined by the rates set for insurance coverage in a given state as well as by the out-of-pocket expenses you are required to cover when receiving care. Your cost of living will increase if rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high.
An indicator of healthcare accessibility is the ease or difficulty of receiving care. Health care accessibility is measured by identifying factors that prevent access to services, such as inability to obtain health insurance coverage, long travel distances to health care facilities, and lack of adequate facilities or healthcare professionals. Another factor that determines the quality of care is the timeliness of care, or how quickly you can see a healthcare provider.
Summary
- Arlington’s cost of living is 2% higher than the average in Texas
- Arlington’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average
- Arlington housing is 19% cheaper than the national average
- Taxes in Texas are 23 percent higher than in the rest of the country
- Texas has 0% state income tax compared to the national average
There is a significant difference in the cost of living between Arlington and other towns. According to a family budget calculator, an Arlington family of four will spend around $6,410 per month and $77,356 annually, in comparison to $88,500 in Chicago.
What salary do you need to live in Arlington, Tx?
A city’s median household income is a great indicator of its standard of living. Arlington’s median household income is $60,571, which is 2% less than the state’s. An individual’s median income is $32,352, 3% less than the state’s median income.
Living in Arlington requires a minimum salary equal to your monthly expenses (groceries, utilities, transportation, entertainment), your monthly housing responsibilities (rent, mortgage, insurance, maintenance), any debt obligations (interest payments and principal pay downs), as well as your savings and investment goals.
If you’re trying to determine whether housing is affordable, the 28% rule is a good starting point: the sum of your monthly rent, mortgage, property taxes, and insurance should not exceed 28% of your gross income (income before tax).
