Salary Needed to Live in Arlington as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $59,372/year to live comfortably in Arlington, TX, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $59,372/year to live comfortably in Arlington, TX. The bare-minimum salary is $51,456/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,628.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,216/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,948/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$59,372
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$51,456
$4,288/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,216
10% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Arlington
| Expense | Arlington | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,029 | $1,351 | -24% |
| Groceries | $196 | $207 | -5% |
| Utilities | $167 | $169 | -1% |
| Transportation | $298 | $316 | -6% |
| Car Insurance | $155 | $223 | -30% |
| Health Insurance | $752 | $672 | +12% |
| Internet | $62 | $65 | -5% |
| Phone | $82 | $85 | -4% |
| Dining & Social | $288 | $300 | -4% |
| Entertainment | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Personal Care | $72 | $75 | -4% |
| Total Monthly | $3,216 | $3,583 | -10% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,216
Target savings (10%):$412/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,628
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$59,372
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,029
Studio/1BR rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TX state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$412/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
96/100
Arlington is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,029/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $619/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $51,456/year as the survival floor and $59,372/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Arlington
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Arlington?
A single person needs approximately $59,372/year ($4,948/month gross) to live comfortably in Arlington with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Arlington?
A studio/1br in Arlington costs approximately $1,029/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Arlington affordable for a single person?
Yes, Arlington is 10% more affordable than the national average for a single person.