Arlington, TX

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places To Live

Thinking of moving to Arlington, TX? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Arlington, TX

Known as the “Entertainment Capital of Texas,” Arlington draws visitors eager to experience everything the city has to offer. Those living in Arlington, TX, though, get to enjoy the supersized fun year-round, whether that’s cheering on the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium or purchasing season passes to ride the coasters at Six Flags Over Texas and water slides at Hurricane Harbor. With so much excitement close to home, it’s no surprise Arlington ranks high in amenities.

One of the most diverse cities in the country, Arlington proudly celebrates its culture through events such as Juneteenth and festivals celebrating the many cultures that make up the city. 

Sports and entertainment are a major way of life here. Arlington is home to world-class venues that, in addition to the Cowboys’ iconic home turf, also include College Park Center, home of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings and Globe Life Field, where the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers play ball.

When it’s time to get active, residents have plenty of options of their own. Arlington boasts more than 4,700 acres of parkland and more than 50 miles of scenic trails, perfect for jogging, walking or biking. From nature preserves and playgrounds to tennis courts, golf courses, athletic centers and even boating or kayaking on Lake Arlington, outdoor recreation is always within reach. Dog-friendly parks, open green spaces and plenty of playgrounds ensure every member of the family feels right at home.

Beyond recreation, Arlington’s creative spirit shines through its public art collections, museums like the Arlington Museum of Art and outdoor installations, including the whimsical sculptures at Richard Greene Linear Park. Residents benefit from the presence of the University of Texas at Arlington, which offers amenities such as a planetarium for stargazing and The Gallery at UTA, which showcases fine art.

Downtown Arlington adds even more charm with historic squares, unique shops and diverse dining options. Best of all, residents enjoy a lower-than-average cost of living, an exceptional value for a city packed with entertainment, opportunity and cultural experiences.

Top Reasons to Move to Arlington

• There are plenty of things to do in Arlington, and the city is home to the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field and the original Six Flags Over Texas theme park.
• With a strategic location in the center of the DFW Metroplex, Arlington residents have an easy commute to Dallas and Fort Worth.
• Arlington has a stable job market with a massive General Motors assembly plant and the University of Texas at Arlington, a top-tier research institution.
• Arlington is affordable with a lower cost of living than the regional average. 

Arlington is a high-energy city perfectly positioned in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, about 12 miles east of Fort Worth and 20 miles west of Dallas. It is a major hub for entertainment and sports, sitting along Interstate 30 and Interstate 20. One of the world’s busiest travel hubs, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), is just 10 miles north, while Dallas Love Field is only a 25-minute drive away. Nearby cities include:

• Fort Worth is just 12 miles west, where you can watch a cattle drive at the historic Stockyards or visit the world-class Kimbell Art Museum.
• Dallas sits 20 miles east, offering the Dallas Arts District and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
• Waco is 90 miles south, home to the Magnolia Market at the Silos and Baylor University.

The local weather is characterized by a humid subtropical climate, with hot, sunny summers and relatively mild winters. Arlington locals can also enjoy comfortable springs and falls, benefitting from all four seasons. 

Arlington is a powerhouse in the North Texas economy and a hub for advanced manufacturing, tourism and health care services. The city’s economic engine is fueled by the General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant, which serves as one of the region’s largest employers and the global production site for GM’s full-size SUVs. Beyond the assembly lines, Arlington is the Entertainment Capital of Texas, home to Six Flags Over Texas, AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, creating a huge tourism market. Arlington is the headquarters for several heavyweights, including D.R. Horton – the largest homebuilder in America.

The cost of living in Arlington is lower than the national average. The median home value in Arlington is $312,233, and the average household income is $76,853.

Texas residents do not pay a state income tax, and Arlington residents can expect a combined 8.25% sales tax rate in 2026. 

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Whether you’re a sports fan, music enthusiast, or lover of arts and culture, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Arlington, TX. 

Cheer for the WNBA Dallas Wings, who play at College Park Center and are led by Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Root for the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, which also hosts major concerts, or root, root, root for the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. At the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame, learn about the history of the sport through interactive exhibits. 

In the heart of downtown Arlington, Levitt Pavilion is locals’ go-to stage for live entertainment, hosting more than 50 free outdoor concerts every year. From Texas country and Latin rhythms to indie beats and soulful blues, you can discover the next top artist for your Spotify Wrapped. Grab a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic and settle in for some toe-tapping tunes.

Something interesting is always on exhibit at the Arlington Museum of Art, which features displays that delve into everything from Game of Thrones to the FIFA World Cup and fashion in the English novelist Jane Austen’s world.  

If you’ve got young kids, check out storytimes at Arlington Public Library branches, which offer a variety of options like bilingual sessions, sensory-friendly programs and Music ’n Motion storytimes that get little ones dancing.

From getting out on the water to teeing off at unique golf courses, locals can find a number of things to do outside in Arlington, TX, right in their own backyard.

Texas Rangers Golf Club stakes its claim as the country’s only MLB-branded public golf course, with an on-site restaurant called Home Plate Restaurant and Patio, where you can catch sports playing on the televisions and take in golf course views after playing 18 holes. To inspire the next generation of golfers, youth can play $5 rounds at other courses, including Lake Arlington Golf Course, Meadowbrook Park Golf Course and Tierra Verde Golf Club.

Or, switch things up and play free disc golf at Veterans Park, which also has a fishing pond and a 1.4-mile trail. When you want to beat the heat in the summer months, get out on the water at Lake Arlington for some kayaking. 

Classic Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex are at the heart of Arlington’s culinary scene. Few spots capture that spirit better than Hurtado Barbecue, which puts a Tex-Mex spin on barbecue, serving pit classics like brisket, pulled pork and ribs alongside smoked brisket tostadas and birria tacos. Pile on the sides, like Mexican street corn hatch green chile mac and satiate your sweet tooth with the tres leches banana pudding. You can also get a taste of the Hurtado at Globe Life Field, where the Rangers play and Hurtado slings brisket nachos. The city also has some fantastic Vietnamese restaurants, like Mon Viet Café and Pho 95 Asian Fusion and Vietnamese. Texas neighbors Louisiana, and you can find gumbo, shrimp étouffée, po-boys and other Cajun classics at spots like Razzoo’s Cajun Café.

Arlington Independent School District serves nearly 55,000 students and is the 13th-largest school district in Texas. 

The district offers robust academic pathways, including STEM academies that begin as early as kindergarten and specialized high school programs where students can earn college credits – and even associate degrees – at no cost. Arlington ISD is nationally recognized for academic excellence, with Arlington Collegiate High School, Arlington College and Career High School, Martin High School and Seguin High School all ranked among the best in America by U.S. News & World Report in 2025, according to the district. In addition to its public schools, the area also features a variety of private and charter school options.

Arlington is also a college town, home to the University of Texas at Arlington, a major research university that offers 180 degree programs.