City Comparison

Arlington vs London

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

42.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 42.6%, with London being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $52,591 in London.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
162
London
Groceries
106
Arlington
92
London
Utilities
102
Arlington
112
London
Transportation
107
Arlington
125
London
Healthcare
117
Arlington
78
London

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $52,591 in London.

Conversely, $75,000 in London equals $106,957 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs London

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher London's 162, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $695,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $2,400/mo in London, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 92 in London. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $437/month in London. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 112 in London. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $448 in London. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 78 in London. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-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 $55,000 in London. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $47,826 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 $1,283/month in London. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

London is 42.6% more affordable overall with an index of 115 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,591 in London, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while London's is 162 with median homes at $695,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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