Arlington vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Tempe
The Verdict
Tempe is 54.7% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $48,476 in Tempe 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 Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $116,038 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $400,000. The $340,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $475/month in Tempe. Tempe offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 95 in Tempe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 135 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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