Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Downey, CA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Downey

California
169

Arlington is 20% more expensive than Downey.

$2,275/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↓ 17%
$140,160/yr ↑ 60%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↓ 38%
$864,800 ↑ 19%
Home Value
$728,500 ↓ 16%
$2,414/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↓ 17%
235,463
Population
111,793

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $383/month cheaper in Downey, saving renters about $4,596/year.

Median household income is $52,760/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Downey — common questions

Is Arlington or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Downey is cheaper to live in with an index of 169 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Downey?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $383/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Downey?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $52,760/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and California?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Downey details →

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