Arlington vs Champaign
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Champaign
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.5%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $63,281 in Champaign.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $63,281 in Champaign.
Conversely, $75,000 in Champaign equals $88,889 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Champaign
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is higher Champaign's 83, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $215,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,100/mo in Champaign, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 98 in Champaign. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $466/month in Champaign. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 106 in Champaign. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $424 in Champaign. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 90 in Champaign. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $56,100 in Champaign. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $69,259 respectively. Champaign residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,309/month in Champaign. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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