City Comparison

Arlington vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

7.7%

Living in Arlington costs 7.7% less than Dublin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $81,250 in Dublin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Arlington
128
Dublin
Groceries
96
Arlington
95
Dublin
Utilities
99
Arlington
110
Dublin
Transportation
106
Arlington
108
Dublin
Healthcare
100
Arlington
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $81,250 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $69,231 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $470,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $451/month in Dublin. 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 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $440 in Dublin. 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 82 in Dublin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $53,846 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,307/month in Dublin. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington is 7.7% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,250 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 86 with median homes at $260,000, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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