Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington
Arlington, Texas — salaries, cost of living & taxes (2026)
Arlington sits geographically and economically between Dallas and Fort Worth — the literal mid-cities. Home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags Over Texas, and the University of Texas at Arlington, the city is sports-and-entertainment heavy, but its day-to-day economy runs on logistics, manufacturing, and education.
The job market
Tourism and sports (Cowboys, Rangers, Six Flags), higher ed (UTA), manufacturing (GM Arlington Assembly is one of the largest GM plants), logistics, and healthcare. White-collar jobs typically commute into Dallas or Fort Worth.
Top industries: Tourism & sports, Higher education, Manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare.
Housing & cost of living
Median home prices around $305k make Arlington the most accessible major DFW city for buyers. Older neighborhoods near downtown and UTA offer value; newer subdivisions south of I-20 run higher. Property tax effective rate around 2.18%.
Taxes in Arlington
8.0% sales tax (slightly under the 8.25% cap), no state income tax. Property tax rates are typical for the metro. Arlington's lack of a city income tax is moot in Texas, but the overall cost picture is favorable for cross-metro commuters.
Should you move here?
Best for budget-conscious families and people commuting to either Dallas or Fort Worth job markets. Public transit is limited; expect to drive everywhere. The city has no airport or downtown high-rise scene — it's quieter than its sports profile suggests.
What people love: Most affordable major DFW city, central between Dallas and Fort Worth, with no city property tax bond rate hikes recently.
What to watch out for: Public transit is limited, and the city's economy leans heavily on tourism and event traffic.
Estimate your Arlington take-home
Texas charges $0 state income tax, but your federal bill is real. Drop in your salary to see what you keep:
Estimates use 2026 projected federal brackets, the standard deduction for your filing status, and current FICA rates. Texas has no state income tax, so your gross is not reduced by any state withholding.
Frequently asked questions
What's the median household income in Arlington?
The median household income in Arlington is approximately $67,500. That's a Census ACS estimate; individual neighborhoods vary widely.
What's the property tax rate in Arlington?
Arlington's effective property tax rate is approximately 2.18% — combined city, county, school district, and special-district rates. On a $400,000 home, that's roughly $8,720 per year. File for the homestead exemption to cap annual increases at 10% and lower the school district appraised value.
Does Arlington have a city or local income tax?
No. Texas has no state income tax, and no Texas city levies a local income tax on wages. Sales tax in Arlington is 8%.
How does Arlington compare to other Texas cities for cost of living?
Arlington's cost of living index is approximately 95 (U.S. average = 100). That's near the U.S. average — moderate by big-city standards.
Is Arlington a good place for remote workers?
Arlington works well for remote workers because Texas charges no state income tax. If you work for an out-of-state employer from Arlington, your wages are Texas-source and untaxed at the state level — except for cases involving New York's convenience-of-employer rule. See our remote worker guide for details.