City Comparison

Arlington vs Davenport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Texas
96
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$60,138
Median Income

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

The Verdict

15.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.7%, with Davenport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $64,844 in Davenport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
86
Arlington
60
Davenport
Groceries
96
Arlington
97
Davenport
Utilities
99
Arlington
83
Davenport
Transportation
106
Arlington
105
Davenport
Healthcare
100
Arlington
97
Davenport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $64,844 in Davenport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $86,747 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Davenport

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is higher Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $212,000. The $48,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $461/month in Davenport. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $332 in Davenport. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 97 in Davenport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $79,759 respectively. Davenport residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,545/month in Davenport. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport is 15.7% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,844 in Davenport, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 86 with median homes at $260,000, while Davenport's is 60 with median homes at $212,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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