Arlington vs Chesapeake
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Chesapeake
The Verdict
Living in Arlington costs 7.7% less than Chesapeake. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $81,250 in Chesapeake.
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 $81,250 in Chesapeake.
Conversely, $75,000 in Chesapeake equals $69,231 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Chesapeake
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Chesapeake's 120, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $385,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,550/mo in Chesapeake, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 102 in Chesapeake. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $485/month in Chesapeake. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 105 in Chesapeake. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $420 in Chesapeake. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 97 in Chesapeake. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $94,200 in Chesapeake. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $90,577 respectively. Chesapeake 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 $2,198/month in Chesapeake. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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