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Cost of Living in Arlington, TX

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Arlington, Texas, is nestled in the heart of the Mid-Cities region and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It’s located in North Texas and conveniently off Interstates 20 and 30, just 20 miles west of Dallas and 15 miles east of Fort Worth. Arlington has a population of about 400,000 residents. However, it’s tough to isolate the city from the larger region. The metro area, which includes Dallas and Fort Worth, is home to nearly 7 million people and one of the most populated areas in the U.S.

Although Arlington is an integral part of a major metro area, the cost of living here is lower than you might think. When you compare it to the national average of 100, the cost of living in Arlington is 100.6. Though despite the city’s identical-to-national-average cost of living, you’re likely to find a wide range of options and prices as you look for the perfect place here. Let’s look at the average apartment prices in Arlington so you can budget effectively.

Attractions in Arlington

As you get to know Arlington, you’ll quickly find that the city has much more to offer than a convenient location. In fact, Arlington is known as the American Dream City. This Texan city is home to most of the Dallas–Fort Worth region’s Major League sports teams. You can also find a branch of the University of Texas and a handful of theme parks and cultural attractions within the Arlington city limits.

How expensive is an apartment in Arlington?

Our Arlington rent research shows that most apartments fit into one of two pricing brackets. About 45% cost between $500 and $1,500 per month, and another 45% cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per month. The remaining are mostly over $2,500 per month, and a few that cost less than $500 per month.

Even though the Arlington population continues to rise, resulting in ever-growing housing demand, rent doesn’t show signs of increasing significantly. In fact, the average year-over-year change for rent in Arlington is about 10%.

Indeed, the average rent has gradually increased in recent years. However, when you consider the overall cost of living in Arlington remains relatively affordable. It’s slightly lower than the cost of living in nearby Dallas, which has an index of 101.6, and a bit higher than Fort Worth, which has an index of 99.8.

To present you a more accurate assessment of the cost of living in Arlington, we’ve broken down the main indices most residents have to consider in regards to their budgets:

  • The cost of housing index in Arlington is 88.5. It’s 92.9 in Dallas, 85.5 in Fort Worth, and 84.3 across Texas.
  • The cost of utility index in Arlington is 100. It’s 100 in Dallas, 100.5 in Fort Worth, and 99.2 statewide.
  • The cost of transportation index in Arlington is 114.6. It’s 117.1 in Dallas, 113.9 in Fort Worth, and 103.3 throughout the state of Texas

How do I find cheap apartments in Arlington?

Finding affordable apartments in Arlington is easy since you have tons of options just about anywhere in the city. If you want to keep your costs as low as possible, one of the simplest strategies is downsizing. As you might expect, apartment size is one of the main aspects that determine the price. Here are the average rental rates in Arlington by apartment size:

  • Studios cost $775 per month
  • One-bedroom apartments are priced at $950 per month
  • Two-bedroom units go for $1,225 per month
  • Three-bedroom apartments are priced at $1,750 per month
  • Four-bedroom homes cost $2,200 per month

If you can switch from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom apartment, or a one-bedroom to a studio, you could save hundreds of dollars on rent every month. If you’d rather not downsize, consider sharing your space with a roommate. By dividing the cost of rent and utilities, you could lower your costs dramatically.

In addition to square footage and number of bedrooms, location also affects rental rates. For example, some of the most expensive neighborhoods in Arlington include Town North and Parkway North, two of the areas that offer the most convenient interstate access. If you don’t need to live near I-30 or don’t mind a longer commute, avoid these pricey neighborhoods and search for accommodation in cheaper areas instead.

Alternatively, you might consider renting in a neighboring town. For example, the costs of living in nearby Wilmer and Ferris are even cheaper than in Arlington. In Ferris, the cost of living index is 95 and the cost of housing index is 65.2, making it much more affordable than Arlington. In Wilmer, you can find even lower prices. The cost of living index here is 83.1, and the cost of housing index is 33.9 in Wilmer.

What is the cheapest rent in Arlington?

The cost of living in Arlington is relatively low no matter where you reside. However, if you know where to look, you can find some surprisingly affordable apartments within the city limits. These Arlington neighborhoods typically have the cheapest rent:

  • Hollandale and Heart of Arlington, where one-bedroom apartments cost as little as $500 to $800
  • Randol Mill and Sherwood Knoll, where two-bedroom accommodation is priced at $700 to $900
  • Woodland West and South Davis, where three-bedroom units cost about $1,600 to $1,700
  • Coldwater Creek and Lake Port Meadows, where four-bedroom housing costs between $1,600 and $1,700

Whether you’re relocating from across the state or looking for a new place to live in the local area, the cost of living in Arlington will fit into your budget. Start your Arlington apartment search now, and find the perfect spot for you.

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