Arlington vs Warwick
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Warwick
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.4%, with Arlington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $82,813 in Warwick.
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 $82,813 in Warwick.
Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $67,925 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Warwick
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $413,000. The $153,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $448 in Warwick. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases