Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Arlington is 45% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,389/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 46%
$73,519/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 55%
$276,400 ↓ 60%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 152%
$1,420/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 53%
394,769
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $642/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $7,704/year.

Median household income is $40,119/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Arlington or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Alexandria?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $642/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Alexandria?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $40,119/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Alexandria details →

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