Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Arlington to Houston
Comparing Arlington, Virginia, and Houston, Texas, using data from the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct economic trade-offs. Arlington features a substantially higher median household income of $142,114 alongside significantly higher housing costs, with a median gross rent of $2,322 and a median owner-occupied home value of $895,000. Its derived one-way commute estimate is 29 minutes. Conversely, Houston reports a much larger population of 2,328,253, a median household income of $64,813, a lower median gross rent of $1,361, and a median home value of $277,800, with a comparable derived commute of 30 minutes. Additionally, Houston utilizes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 0.00%, whereas Arlington's state income tax is excluded from this profile. Both locations share a uniform non-housing calculator baseline of $1,250 per month, and citywide data does not establish neighborhood safety or schools.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → ArlingtonMoving from Arlington to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$961/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$11,532/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTARL → HOU
71/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$23,916after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $11,532 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Arlington household income$142,114
Houston household income$64,813
Arlington gross rent$2,322
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 236,254 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $142,114 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $895,000 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 29 minutes in Arlington and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income differences
- Median gross rent variations
- Owner-occupied home value gaps
- State tax reference distinctions
What each city wins
Arlington
A median household income of $142,114 paired with an $895,000 home value.. Watch a high median household income against an $895,000 median home value..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do Arlington and Houston compare in median household income?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Arlington has a median household income of $142,114, while Houston's median household income is $64,813.
What are the housing cost differences between Arlington and Houston?
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates show that Arlington has a median gross rent of $2,322 and a median home value of $895,000, compared to Houston's median gross rent of $1,361 and home value of $277,800.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.