Tempe vs Arlington

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Arizona salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Tempe vs Arlington

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Tempe has a housing index of 114 while Arlington sits at 86 (national average = 100). The median home in Tempe costs $400,000 compared to $260,000 in Arlington, a difference of $140,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Tempe versus $1,300 in Arlington.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Tempe scores 100 while Arlington scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Tempe (95) are lower than Arlington (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Tempe is $56,068 compared to $60,138 in Arlington. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Arlington.

Relocating: Tempe vs Arlington

If you are considering a move between Tempe (index: 106) and Arlington (index: 96), the 9% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Arlington is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Tempe can afford $1,308/month, while the median household in Arlington can afford $1,403/month. With median homes at $400,000 in Tempe versus $260,000 in Arlington, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,600/month in Tempe and $1,300/month in Arlington, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Arlington where costs are 4% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Tempe (106) vs Arlington (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Tempe at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Arlington at 96 is 4% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

A 10-point index spread separates Tempe from Arlington, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Tempe scores 114 and Arlington scores 86. That 28-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Arlington with indices of 86 versus 114. Median home prices of $400,000 in Tempe and $260,000 in Arlington underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Tempe has an edge in utilities and transportation, while Arlington is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,600/month in Tempe and $1,300/month in Arlington, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $140,000 difference in median home prices between Tempe and Arlington translates to roughly $8,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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