Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Arlington is 51% more expensive than East Los Angeles.

$2,275/mo ↑ 59%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↓ 37%
$140,160/yr ↑ 105%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↓ 51%
$864,800 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$613,600 ↓ 29%
$2,414/mo ↑ 66%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↓ 40%
235,463
Population
114,617

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $844/month cheaper in East Los Angeles, saving renters about $10,128/year.

Median household income is $71,782/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Arlington or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, East Los Angeles is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $844/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $71,782/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 East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

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