City Comparison

Arlington vs Evansville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

The Verdict

105.0%

Living in Evansville costs 105.0% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $36,585 in Evansville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
55
Evansville
Groceries
106
Arlington
95
Evansville
Utilities
102
Arlington
105
Evansville
Transportation
107
Arlington
98
Evansville
Healthcare
117
Arlington
105
Evansville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $36,585 in Evansville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $153,750 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Evansville

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $170,000. The $570,000 difference in home prices means roughly $37,056 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $1,500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $451/month in Evansville. Evansville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $420 in Evansville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 105 in Evansville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $60,750 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 $1,134/month in Evansville. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 194 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 105.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $36,585 in Evansville, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Evansville's is 55 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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