City Comparison

Arlington vs Orlando

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Orlando

Florida
100
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$48,080
Median Income

The Verdict

64.0%

Living in Orlando costs 64.0% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $45,732 in Orlando.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
104
Orlando
Groceries
106
Arlington
103
Orlando
Utilities
102
Arlington
97
Orlando
Transportation
107
Arlington
104
Orlando
Healthcare
117
Arlington
96
Orlando

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $45,732 in Orlando.

Conversely, $75,000 in Orlando equals $123,000 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Orlando

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Orlando's 104, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $320,000. The $420,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,650/mo in Orlando, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 103 in Orlando. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $489/month in Orlando. 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 97 in Orlando. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $388 in Orlando. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 96 in Orlando. 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 $48,080 in Orlando. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $48,080 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 $1,122/month in Orlando. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Orlando, median rent of $1,650/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 145 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando is 64.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,732 in Orlando, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Orlando's is 104 with median homes at $320,000.

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