Arlington vs Johnson City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Johnson City
The Verdict
Johnson City is 92.9% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $38,872 in Johnson City to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $38,872 in Johnson City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $144,706 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Johnson City
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $276,000. The $464,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,156 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $1,325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $451/month in Johnson City. Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $65,176 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 183 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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