City Comparison

Arlington vs Hollywood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Hollywood

Florida
111
Above Average
$424,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$60,300
Median Income

The Verdict

47.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 47.7%, with Hollywood being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $50,762 in Hollywood.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
130
Hollywood
Groceries
106
Arlington
104
Hollywood
Utilities
102
Arlington
96
Hollywood
Transportation
107
Arlington
113
Hollywood
Healthcare
117
Arlington
96
Hollywood

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $50,762 in Hollywood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $110,811 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Hollywood

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $424,000. The $316,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,544 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $494/month in Hollywood. 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 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 96 in Hollywood. 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 $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $54,324 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 $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 119 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hollywood is 47.7% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,762 in Hollywood, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Hollywood's is 130 with median homes at $424,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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