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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Fullerton

California
195

Arlington is 4% more expensive than Fullerton.

$2,275/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↓ 7%
$140,160/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↓ 26%
$864,800 ≈ Same
Home Value
$859,600 ≈ Same
$2,414/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↓ 7%
235,463
Population
141,278

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $151/month cheaper in Fullerton, saving renters about $1,812/year.

Median household income is $35,941/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fullerton — common questions

Is Arlington or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fullerton is cheaper to live in with an index of 195 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fullerton?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $151/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fullerton?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $35,941/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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fullerton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Fullerton

Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane Fullerton vs. Waco Fullerton vs. Metairie Fullerton vs. Visalia Fullerton vs. Orange Fullerton vs. Thornton Fullerton vs. Warren