City Comparison
Arlington vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Arlington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arlington
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Arlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arlington's average rent is
66% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Arlington | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,412 | +66% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $130 | $126 | +3% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $3,365 | $2,404 | +40% |
| Cost Index | 148 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arlington offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Arlington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arlington is estimated at
$85,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Arlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,189 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $137,452 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arlington runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arlington comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arlington sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Arlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Arlington.
From a growth perspective, Arlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Arlington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arlington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 238,643 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arlington
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $135,000 per year, placing it among the highest in the nation per US Census data.
Exceptionally high walkability and transit scores along the Metro corridors support a convenient car-lite lifestyle.
Top-tier public safety profile with violent crime rates well below the national average per Virginia State Police.
Major employment expansions, including Amazon HQ2 and prominent defense contractors, drive continuous job market vitality.
Extensive parks, recreation centers, and the Mount Vernon Trail offer abundant outdoor activities.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment exceeds $2,300 per Zillow and RentCafe data.
Overall cost of living is roughly 50% higher than the national U.S. average.
Highly competitive housing market makes purchasing a single-family home prohibitive for average earners.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional arteries like I-66 can be severe.
High local demand places continuous upward pressure on commercial and residential property taxes.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Arlington
#276Virginia, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$95,000
Cost Index
148
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
89
Business
84
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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