City Comparison

Arlington vs Henderson

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Henderson

Nevada
108
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$72,238
Median Income

The Verdict

51.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 51.9%, with Henderson being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $49,390 in Henderson.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
118
Henderson
Groceries
106
Arlington
102
Henderson
Utilities
102
Arlington
94
Henderson
Transportation
107
Arlington
107
Henderson
Healthcare
117
Arlington
96
Henderson

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $49,390 in Henderson.

Conversely, $75,000 in Henderson equals $113,889 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Henderson

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Henderson's 118, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $420,000. The $320,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,500/mo in Henderson, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 102 in Henderson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $485/month in Henderson. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 94 in Henderson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $376 in Henderson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 96 in Henderson. 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 $72,238 in Henderson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $66,887 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 $1,686/month in Henderson. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Henderson, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 131 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Henderson is 51.9% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,390 in Henderson, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Henderson's is 118 with median homes at $420,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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