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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Glendale

California
214

Arlington is 5% cheaper than Glendale.

$2,275/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$2,095/mo ↓ 8%
$140,160/yr ↑ 66%
Median Income
$84,262/yr ↓ 40%
$864,800 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$1,043,900 ↑ 21%
$2,414/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$2,212/mo ↓ 8%
235,463
Population
192,270

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
29.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Glendale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 214 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $180/month cheaper in Glendale, saving renters about $2,160/year.

Median household income is $55,898/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $1,043,900 in Glendale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Glendale — common questions

Is Arlington or Glendale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 203 compared to 214 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Glendale?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Glendale it's $2,095/month — a difference of $180/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Glendale?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $84,262 in Glendale. Median household income is $55,898/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 Glendale?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Glendale has a cost index of 214 with rent of $2,095/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Glendale details →

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