City Comparison

Arlington vs Yonkers

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

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

Yonkers

New York
142
Expensive
$635,000
Median Home
$2,200/mo
Median Rent
$80,600
Median Income

The Verdict

15.5%

Yonkers is 15.5% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $64,939 in Yonkers to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
203
Yonkers
Groceries
106
Arlington
106
Yonkers
Utilities
102
Arlington
117
Yonkers
Transportation
107
Arlington
116
Yonkers
Healthcare
117
Arlington
107
Yonkers

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $64,939 in Yonkers.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yonkers equals $86,620 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Yonkers

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Yonkers's 203, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $635,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $2,200/mo in Yonkers, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 106 in Yonkers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $504/month in Yonkers. 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 117 in Yonkers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $468 in Yonkers. 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 107 in Yonkers. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $80,600 in Yonkers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $56,761 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 $1,881/month in Yonkers. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Yonkers, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yonkers is 15.5% more affordable overall with an index of 142 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,939 in Yonkers, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Yonkers's is 203 with median homes at $635,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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