Arlington vs Virginia Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Virginia Beach
The Verdict
Virginia Beach is 56.2% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $48,018 in Virginia Beach 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 $48,018 in Virginia Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $117,143 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Virginia Beach
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $310,000. The $430,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $69,922 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 137 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases