Arlington vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Kent
The Verdict
Living in Kent costs 19.7% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $62,652 in Kent.
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 $62,652 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $89,781 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Kent
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $595,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $518/month in Kent. 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 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $71,752 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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