City Comparison

Arlington vs Cheyenne

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

The Verdict

72.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 72.6%, with Cheyenne being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $43,445 in Cheyenne.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
85
Cheyenne
Groceries
106
Arlington
98
Cheyenne
Utilities
102
Arlington
90
Cheyenne
Transportation
107
Arlington
98
Cheyenne
Healthcare
117
Arlington
100
Cheyenne

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Arlington vs Cheyenne

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Cheyenne's 85, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $280,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 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 Cheyenne, a monthly difference of $1,250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 98 in Cheyenne. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $466/month in Cheyenne. Cheyenne 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 90 in Cheyenne. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $360 in Cheyenne. 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 117 in Arlington and 100 in Cheyenne. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $57,834 in Cheyenne. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $60,878 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 $1,349/month in Cheyenne. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 164 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Cheyenne's is 85 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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