City Comparison

Arlington vs Davenport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

The Verdict

97.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 97.6%, with Davenport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $37,957 in Davenport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
60
Davenport
Groceries
106
Arlington
97
Davenport
Utilities
102
Arlington
83
Davenport
Transportation
107
Arlington
105
Davenport
Healthcare
117
Arlington
97
Davenport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $37,957 in Davenport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $148,193 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Davenport

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $212,000. The $528,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $1,450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $461/month in Davenport. Davenport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $332 in Davenport. 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 97 in Davenport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $79,759 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 $1,545/month in Davenport. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 189 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport is 97.6% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $37,957 in Davenport, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Davenport's is 60 with median homes at $212,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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