Arlington vs Champaign
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Champaign
The Verdict
Living in Champaign costs 102.5% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $37,043 in Champaign.
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 $37,043 in Champaign.
Conversely, $75,000 in Champaign equals $151,852 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Champaign
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Champaign's 83, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $215,000. The $525,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,100/mo in Champaign, a monthly difference of $1,250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 98 in Champaign. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $466/month in Champaign. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 106 in Champaign. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $424 in Champaign. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 90 in Champaign. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-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 $56,100 in Champaign. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $69,259 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 $1,309/month in Champaign. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 166 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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