Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Columbus, GA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

Arlington is 194% more expensive than Columbus.

$2,275/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 53%
$140,160/yr ↑ 148%
Median Income
$56,622/yr ↓ 60%
$864,800 ↑ 374%
Home Value
$182,300 ↓ 79%
$2,414/mo ↑ 127%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↓ 56%
235,463
Population
204,383

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
5.49%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,203/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $14,436/year.

Median household income is $83,538/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Columbus slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Columbus — common questions

Is Arlington or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Columbus?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $1,203/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Columbus?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $83,538/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Georgia?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Columbus details →

More Comparisons

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