Arlington vs Frisco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Frisco
The Verdict
Frisco is 42.6% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $52,591 in Frisco 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 $52,591 in Frisco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Frisco equals $106,957 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Frisco
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Frisco's 142, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $500,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,900/mo in Frisco, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 99 in Frisco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $470/month in Frisco. Frisco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 99 in Frisco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $396 in Frisco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 100 in Frisco. 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 $126,048 in Frisco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $109,607 respectively. Frisco residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,941/month in Frisco. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 107 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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