Arlington vs Oklahoma City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Oklahoma City
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 88.5%, with Oklahoma City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $39,787 in Oklahoma City.
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 $39,787 in Oklahoma City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $141,379 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Oklahoma City
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $195,000. The $545,000 difference in home prices means roughly $35,424 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $1,350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 181 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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