Arlington vs Columbus
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Columbus
The Verdict
Living in Columbus costs 76.3% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $42,530 in Columbus.
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 $42,530 in Columbus.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbus equals $132,258 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Columbus
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Columbus's 82, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $240,000. The $500,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,496 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,200/mo in Columbus, a monthly difference of $1,150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 99 in Columbus. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $470/month in Columbus. Columbus offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 93 in Columbus. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $372 in Columbus. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 96 in Columbus. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $56,590 in Columbus. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $60,849 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 $1,320/month in Columbus. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Columbus, median rent of $1,200/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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