Arlington vs Boulder
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Boulder
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.8%, with Boulder being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $67,683 in Boulder.
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 $67,683 in Boulder.
Conversely, $75,000 in Boulder equals $83,108 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Boulder
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Boulder's 230, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $750,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $2,300/mo in Boulder, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 107 in Boulder. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $508/month in Boulder. 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 102 in Arlington and 94 in Boulder. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $376 in Boulder. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 104 in Boulder. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $73,123 in Boulder. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $49,407 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,706/month in Boulder. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Boulder, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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