| Index | Arlington | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 179 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 107 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 341 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 109 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Arlington can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Arlington cost of living index is 179, which is 79% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Arlington is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Arlington falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Arlington cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 241% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Arlington affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Arlington, for instance, where the median home price falls 298.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 107.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Arlington flaunting a median household income of $180,343, 121.7% higher than the national norm.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Arlington, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Arlington, the transportation index is 15.5% higher than the national average.
The Arlington cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $253,909 | $21,159 | $5,924 | $7,618 |
| Renters | $140,120 | $11,677 | $3,269 | $4,204 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA | 731 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA | 2,334 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Belle Haven town, VA | 578 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Cottage City, MD | 1,193 | 105 | 5.5% |
| Arlington, VA | 244,812 | 179 | 79.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Garland, TX | 245,211 | 102 | 1.8% |
| Fremont, CA | 242,323 | 226 | 126.0% |
| Hialeah, FL | 241,985 | 116 | 16.1% |
| Regina, SK | 241,465 | n/a | |
| Irving, TX | 248,458 | 103 | 3.5% |
| Arlington, VA | 244,812 | 179 | 79.4% |
Here are the best places to live in Virginia
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in Virginia
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Virginia