Arlington vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Irving
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 64.0%, with Irving being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $45,732 in Irving.
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 $45,732 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $123,000 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Irving
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $318,000. The $422,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $1,000.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $470/month in Irving. Irving 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $444 in Irving. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $73,400 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 155 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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