Arlington vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Fort Worth
The Verdict
Fort Worth is 72.6% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $43,445 in Fort Worth to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $43,445 in Fort Worth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Worth equals $129,474 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Fort Worth
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Fort Worth's 87, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $270,000. The $470,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,552 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,400/mo in Fort Worth, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 96 in Fort Worth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $456/month in Fort Worth. Fort Worth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 99 in Fort Worth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $396 in Fort Worth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 100 in Fort Worth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $62,187 in Fort Worth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $65,460 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,451/month in Fort Worth. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 162 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases