Living in Arlington, TX: Homes for Sale, Schools & Neighborhoods
By Brent Reiter, REALTOR® · Last updated November 10, 2026
Arlington sits almost exactly halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags, and the University of Texas at Arlington. I was born and raised in Fort Worth and work with buyers across DFW. Here's what to know before you make the move.
Where Arlington Fits in the DFW Picture
Arlington is one of the largest cities in North Texas, covering almost 100 square miles roughly equidistant between the two downtowns. Typical drive times outside rush hour:
- About 20 miles west of downtown Dallas
- About 20 miles east of downtown Fort Worth
- About 12 miles (about 12 minutes) to DFW International Airport
- Positioned on major highways (I-30, Highway 360, Highway 287), making it central for commuters heading either direction
For buyers who need flexibility on where they might end up working — Dallas one year, Fort Worth the next — Arlington's dead-center position is a practical hedge that few other DFW cities can match.
Big-City Entertainment
The #1 reason buyers choose Arlington is the entertainment: AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, and UT Arlington, all inside the city.
Central Location
Sitting almost exactly halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, making it a practical choice for dual-commuter households.
Schools
Arlington is served primarily by Arlington ISD, with portions of the city (particularly the southern edge) falling under Mansfield ISD instead.
A few things to know:
- Confirm school zoning by address. Arlington's size means assuming "Arlington ISD" isn't enough.
- Districts adjust attendance boundaries, so check the current map.
- Check current campus ratings at txschools.gov, the state's accountability site.
What to Expect Cost-Wise
- Median sale price for single-family homes in Arlington was about $335,000 from July through September 2026.
- Time on market was 29 median days and 53 average days for homes sold in that period.
- Property taxes are a real monthly cost in Texas — budget for them as part of your monthly payment.
- HOA dues depend on the neighborhood, so compare what each one includes.
- No state income tax, which matters if you're coming from a high-income-tax state.
Arlington Property Tax Calculator
2026 rates. Pick the address, enter a price, and the estimate updates as you type.
| Taxing unit | Taxable value | Rate per $100 | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington ISD | $260,000 | 1.096100 | $2,850 |
| City of Arlington | $320,000 | 0.629800 | $2,015 |
| Tarrant County | $320,000 | 0.186000 | $595 |
| JPS Health Network | $320,000 | 0.159000 | $509 |
| Tarrant County College | $395,000 | 0.120000 | $474 |
Without a homestead exemption, this home would owe about $8,764, so the exemption saves about $2,320 a year.
Estimate only. It includes the state school homestead exemption ($140,000, plus $60,000 for owners 65+ or disabled) and the city and county homestead exemptions published by the appraisal districts. Any local exemption not shown in the table's taxable values isn't included, so your bill may be a little lower. It doesn't include the over-65 school tax ceiling. Check your appraisal district record for your actual taxing units and exemptions.
See current Arlington homes for sale →
Getting a Feel for the Community Before You Arrive
- The Entertainment District. Home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags, and Hurricane Harbor, drawing major events and tourism to the city.
- UT Arlington area. A university-town feel near campus, with smaller older homes on the surrounding streets.
- Established residential neighborhoods. Tree-lined streets, local parks, and shopping centers spread throughout the city, giving day-to-day life a suburban feel.
The trade-off is size and traffic. Arlington covers almost 100 square miles, so two neighborhoods can feel very different, and game-day and event traffic backs up near the Entertainment District.
Practical Relocation Steps
- Narrow down a specific area of Arlington before house hunting. Given the city's size, treat your search more like choosing among several distinct neighborhoods.
- Confirm school zoning for any specific address, especially near the Mansfield ISD boundary on the city's southern edge.
- Get pre-approved early, particularly if your move is tied to a job start date.
- Factor in game-day and event traffic if you're considering a home near the Entertainment District.
- Budget property taxes as a monthly cost, not an afterthought.
- Visit in person if you can, ideally exploring a couple of different neighborhoods.
Who Arlington Fits
- Buyers who want a central position between Dallas and Fort Worth
- Buyers who want major sports and entertainment venues close to home
- Buyers who work near or attend the University of Texas at Arlington
- Buyers who want a large city with a range of home prices
Selling a $700K+ Home in Arlington?
Over the past 12 months, Arlington homes at $700,000 or more that never cut their price went under contract in a median of 18 days. The $700K+ homes for sale now have been listed a median of 117 days.
See the full $700K+ numbers for Arlington and Mansfield →Bottom Line
Arlington offers major-league entertainment, a respected university, and a central location between two big job markets at a median price below many neighboring suburbs. The trade-off is that it's a large, varied city, so pick the neighborhood first and confirm the school district by address.
Relocating to Arlington or anywhere in the greater DFW area? I help out-of-state and out-of-market buyers from wherever they're starting, including remote showings, school zone research, and introductions to local lenders, inspectors, and movers. Reach out anytime, no pressure.
Brent Reiter
Brent Sells DFW
brentsellsdfw.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Arlington
What county is Arlington in?
Tarrant County. Arlington sits almost exactly halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth.
What school district serves Arlington?
Mostly Arlington ISD, with portions of the southern edge in Mansfield ISD. Confirm by address.
How much do homes cost in Arlington?
The median sale price for single-family homes was about $335,000 from July through September 2026.
How far is Arlington from Dallas and Fort Worth?
About 20 miles west of downtown Dallas and about 20 miles east of downtown Fort Worth, outside rush hour.
How far is Arlington from DFW Airport?
About 12 miles, or roughly 12 minutes, outside rush hour.