Arlington vs Glendale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Glendale
The Verdict
Arlington is 15.0% less expensive than Glendale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $88,281 in Glendale to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $88,281 in Glendale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Glendale equals $63,717 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Glendale
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Glendale's 119, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $405,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,400/mo in Glendale, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 103 in Glendale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $489/month in Glendale. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 98 in Glendale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $392 in Glendale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 94 in Glendale. 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 $70,100 in Glendale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $62,035 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,636/month in Glendale. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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