Mariela Lovo OlREALTOR® Español
(214) 952-7518Coldwell Banker Realty

Tarrant County · TX

Cost of living in Arlington

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The cost of living in Arlington comes down to housing, property taxes, insurance, utilities and driving. Texas has no personal income tax, so property and sales taxes carry more weight. Here is each piece so you can plan a realistic monthly number.

How much does housing cost in Arlington?

Use the live market figures on this page, since prices change quickly and vary by area. Census figures show about 54% of homes are owner-occupied, so you will see houses, townhomes and apartments side by side.

Add HOA dues where they apply, especially in master-planned communities. Try the affordability calculator and then browse Arlington homes for sale.

What will property taxes add in Arlington?

For tax year 2025, Tarrant County lists these adopted rates per $100 of value. Arlington ISD: $1.0929. City of Arlington: $0.6298. Tarrant County: $0.1862. Hospital District (JPS): $0.165. Tarrant County College: $0.1123.

That totals about $2.19 per $100 before exemptions for a home in the city and Arlington ISD. Mansfield ISD's 2025 rate was $1.1469. Newer subdivisions may add a PID or MUD. Details are on property taxes in Arlington.

What should I budget for insurance in Arlington?

Hail is a common reason for roof claims across the region. The Texas Department of Insurance suggests comparing deductibles and whether the roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value.

Standard policies do not cover flood. Check the FEMA flood map, especially near the Trinity River, Lake Arlington or creeks.

Which utilities will I pay in Arlington?

City of Arlington Water Utilities handles water and sewer. Republic Services collects trash and recycling under a city contract.

For electricity, you choose a retail provider on Power to Choose unless your address is served by a cooperative or a city-owned utility. Summer air conditioning drives the largest bills. Natural gas, internet and phone come from private providers that serve the address, so compare them before move-in.

What does getting around Arlington cost?

Plan on a car. Arlington has no fixed-route bus or rail network, and the average commute is 26.6 minutes. If you use North Texas toll roads, a TollTag costs half of ZipCash billing.

The city's Arlington On-Demand shared rides cover the whole city plus the TRE CentrePort Station, weekdays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What sales and income taxes apply in Arlington?

Texas has no personal income tax. Arlington's combined sales tax is 8.25%: the 6.25% state rate plus a 2% local rate, according to the Texas Comptroller.

Common questions

What is the sales tax rate in Arlington, TX?

The Texas Comptroller lists 8.25% combined in Arlington. That is the 6.25% state rate plus 2% in local tax.

What is the property tax rate in Arlington?

For tax year 2025, a home in the City of Arlington and Arlington ISD faced about $2.19 per $100 of value before exemptions. The total changes with the school district and any special district.

Does Arlington have public transit?

Arlington runs Arlington On-Demand, a shared rideshare booked by app or phone, instead of fixed bus routes. It covers the whole city and connects to the TRE CentrePort Station.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Arlington city, Texas (with Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Duncanville), U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Tarrant Appraisal District (homestead exemption, property search, online protest), Tarrant Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Choosing an Electric Plan, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Clear as MUD, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  8. What to Know: Arlington's Outdoor Warning Siren System, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Arlington On-Demand, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  10. River Legacy Park, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Viridian Amenities, Viridian (community developer site) (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Attractions in Arlington, TX, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Medical City Arlington, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Arlington, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Garbage & Recycling, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Lake Arlington, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Downtown Arlington, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Texas School Report Cards, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, DFW International Airport (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Arlington ISD, Arlington Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Water Utilities: My Water Account / Start New Water Service, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Truth-in-Taxation summary, Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Texas Sales and Use Tax Rates – July 2026, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Valuing Property, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  27. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Do I Need A Permit? A DIY Guide, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Permits, City of Arlington (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 757.002 – Application, Texas Health and Safety Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Texas Property Code Section 207.003 – Delivery of Subdivision Information, Texas Property Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  32. 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program Types, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (read 2026-09-24)
  33. HomeStyle Renovation mortgage, Fannie Mae (read 2026-09-24)
  34. New Home Contract (Incomplete Construction), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  36. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  37. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Power to Choose (official PUCT electricity shopping site), Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  40. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.