Arlington vs Philadelphia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Philadelphia
The Verdict
Philadelphia is 54.7% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $48,476 in Philadelphia 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 $48,476 in Philadelphia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $116,038 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Philadelphia
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $240,000. The $500,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,496 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,400/mo in Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $494/month in Philadelphia. 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 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $452 in Philadelphia. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 101 in Philadelphia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 142 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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