Arlington vs Lincoln
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Lincoln
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 76.3%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $42,530 in Lincoln.
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 $42,530 in Lincoln.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $132,258 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Lincoln
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $264,000. The $476,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,936 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $1,275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $466/month in Lincoln. Lincoln offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $77,312 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 $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 172 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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