Living in Arlington, TX
Arlington is the 51st-largest city in the US, home to about 402,000 people in 2025. It has grown 2% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 402,134+2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $304,7004.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,470/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $75,171median, per year
- Price level
- 103.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 57° / 96°lows 36° / 76°
- Average commute
- 27 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Tarrant County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 604 ft
Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Cost of living in Arlington
The median home in Arlington is worth $304,700 and the median household earns $75,171 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,470 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area at 103.1, with housing at 117.9 and goods at 102.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,300 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Arlington?
Arlington weather
Average highs run from 56°F in January to 96°F in July, and January nights average 36°F. It gets 37 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 2 inches of snow. Expect about 106 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to April and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Arlington
People and work
The median resident is 33.7 years old, and 33% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 27 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.7111th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 33%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,19695.8 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 12.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1986median year
Who moves to Arlington, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Austin (Travis County) and San Antonio (Bexar County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Tarrant County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, winter weather, hail, ice storm.
Home prices
+0.7% in a year
Up 34% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Fort Worth-Arlington-Grapevine, TX (MSAD) area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
28% good days
45 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Arlington
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Globe Life Field 3 miles
- Tarrant County College District 12 miles
- Dallas College 20 miles
- The University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington
- University of North Texas 33 miles
- The University of Texas at Dallas 28 miles
- Texas Christian University 13 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Arlington
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport DFW | 12 mi | 42,351,316 |
| Dallas Love Field Airport DAL | 18 mi | 8,654,991 |
| Waco Regional Airport ACT | 78 mi | 53,849 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Arlington
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College | 20 mi | 43,869 | $16,414 | n/a |
| Tarrant County College District | 12 mi | 42,300 | $3,775 | 30% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | in town | 32,294 | $17,040 | 51% |
| Texas Christian University | 13 mi | 11,026 | $35,045 | 86% |
| Southern Methodist University | 22 mi | 7,277 | $39,816 | 83% |
| University of North Texas at Dallas | 20 mi | 2,878 | $12,111 | 39% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Arlington
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 8, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 13 and the first frost comes around November 24.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Dallas Fort Worth Airport, TX, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Arlington.
Wildfire smoke in Arlington
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Arlington on about 151 days a year, including about 19 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Arlington
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 142,455 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Arlington
Downtown Arlington is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Independent School District | Pre-K to 12 | 53,339 | 74 | 13.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Fort Worth Independent School District (70,405 students), Mansfield Independent School District (35,354 students), Irving Independent School District (30,767 students), Grand Prairie Independent School District (26,129 students), Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (23,262 students), Birdville Independent School District (22,267 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Arlington's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Arlington's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- North Charleston, SC78% matchCompare
- South Fulton, GA72% matchCompare
- Redding, CA65% matchCompare
- Fresno, CA65% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Arlington
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Arlington
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 106 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 45 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Arlington report card from locals
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Arlington through locals' eyes
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Cities near Arlington
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prairie, TX | 7 mi | 209,434 | $295,500 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Fort Worth, TX | 9 mi | 1,028,117 | $303,000 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Mansfield, TX | 11 mi | 84,444 | $410,700 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Irving, TX | 14 mi | 257,076 | $315,600 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Dallas, TX | 21 mi | 1,329,491 | $320,700 | 103.1 | Compare |
| Flower Mound, TX | 21 mi | 79,540 | $560,200 | 103.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Arlington ranks 74th of 77 in our best suburbs of Dallas ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Arlington with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Arlington a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no state income tax on wages; the trade-offs are 106 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Arlington side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Arlington?
The Census Bureau estimates Arlington had 402,134 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 394,387 in April 2020 (+2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Arlington?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,300 in the Arlington area. The median household here earns $75,171.
When is the best time to visit Arlington?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 96°F and January 56°F for daytime highs.
What county is Arlington in?
Arlington is in Tarrant County, Texas. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Arlington in?
Arlington is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Arlington?
About 604 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Arlington. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Dallas Fort Worth Airport, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.