City Comparison

Arlington vs Gresham

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

The Verdict

25.0%

Living in Arlington costs 25.0% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $100,000 in Gresham.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Arlington
172
Gresham
Groceries
96
Arlington
101
Gresham
Utilities
99
Arlington
96
Gresham
Transportation
106
Arlington
126
Gresham
Healthcare
100
Arlington
103
Gresham

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Gresham.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gresham equals $56,250 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Gresham

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Gresham's 172, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $459,000. The $199,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,936 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,450/mo in Gresham, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 101 in Gresham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $480/month in Gresham. 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 96 in Gresham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $384 in Gresham. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 103 in Gresham. 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 $69,600 in Gresham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $54,375 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,624/month in Gresham. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington is 25.0% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,000 in Gresham, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 86 with median homes at $260,000, while Gresham's is 172 with median homes at $459,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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