Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Hartford, CT (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Hartford

Connecticut
81

Arlington is 151% more expensive than Hartford.

$2,275/mo ↑ 86%
Median Rent
$1,221/mo ↓ 46%
$140,160/yr ↑ 209%
Median Income
$45,300/yr ↓ 68%
$864,800 ↑ 298%
Home Value
$217,200 ↓ 75%
$2,414/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$1,279/mo ↓ 47%
235,463
Population
119,970

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
6.99%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Hartford, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,054/month cheaper in Hartford, saving renters about $12,648/year.

Median household income is $94,860/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $217,200 in Hartford.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Hartford — common questions

Is Arlington or Hartford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hartford is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Hartford?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Hartford it's $1,221/month — a difference of $1,054/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Hartford?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $45,300 in Hartford. Median household income is $94,860/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Connecticut?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Hartford?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Hartford has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,221/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Hartford details →

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