Is it cheaper to live in Arlington or Fresno?

They're close. Arlington, TX runs about $1,370 a month and Fresno, CA about $1,370 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Arlington than in Fresno?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Arlington versus $42,000 in Fresno.

Which has lower taxes, Arlington or Fresno?

Arlington is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax); Fresno under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Arlington vs Fresno Cost of Living 2026

Arlington

Texas

$1,370/mo est.

Fresno

California

$1,370/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,370 in Arlington, TX versus $1,370 in Fresno, CA. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington, TX and $66,804 in Fresno, CA — about 9% higher in Arlington, TX. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Arlington, TX

Fresno, CA

Rent

Studio

$1,088

$1,072

+1% in Arlington, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,042

+12% in Arlington, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,410

$1,293

+8% in Arlington, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,688

+7% in Arlington, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$276,400

$348,500

+26% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$73,519

$66,804

+9% in Arlington, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,440

$46,910

+9% in Arlington, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.6 yr

32.4 yr

+1.2 yr in Arlington, TX

Homeownership

54.8%

49.7%

+5.1 pp in Arlington, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.1%

24.9%

+8.2 pp in Arlington, TX

Avg Commute

26.7 min

22.3 min

+4.4 min in Arlington, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

492.4

741.9

+51% in Fresno, CA

Property Crime

2,433.5

3,334.2

+37% in Fresno, CA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.4°F

64.4°F

+1.0°F in Arlington, TX

Annual Precipitation

39.6 in

11.5 in

+28.1 in in Arlington, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.96/gal

$5.91/gal

+49% in Fresno, CA

Area: Texas vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

N/A

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — Arlington On-Demand (Via) vs FAX (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

33.4

+103% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.61

$20.72

+16% in Arlington, TX

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.37

+5% in Fresno, CA

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$2.10

+21% in Fresno, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.25

+3% in Fresno, CA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$7.23

+10% in Fresno, CA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.14

+12% in Fresno, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.74

+21% in Fresno, CA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (TX / CA)

6.25%

7.25%

+1.0 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

13.30%

+13.3 pp in CA

Arlington vs Fresno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Arlington or Fresno?: They're close. Arlington, TX runs about $1,370 a month and Fresno, CA about $1,370 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Arlington than in Fresno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Arlington versus $42,000 in Fresno.
Which has lower taxes, Arlington or Fresno?: Arlington is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax); Fresno under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).