City Comparison

Arlington vs Casper

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Casper

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$70,200
Median Income

The Verdict

72.6%

Living in Casper costs 72.6% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $43,445 in Casper.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Arlington
82
Casper
Groceries
106
Arlington
96
Casper
Utilities
102
Arlington
96
Casper
Transportation
107
Arlington
85
Casper
Healthcare
117
Arlington
103
Casper

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $43,445 in Casper.

Conversely, $75,000 in Casper equals $129,474 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Casper

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Casper's 82, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $265,000. The $475,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,000/mo in Casper, a monthly difference of $1,350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 96 in Casper. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $456/month in Casper. Casper offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 96 in Casper. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $384 in Casper. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 103 in Casper. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $70,200 in Casper. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $73,895 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 $1,638/month in Casper. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 167 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Casper is 72.6% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $43,445 in Casper, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Casper's is 82 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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