Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

Arlington is 217% more expensive than Montgomery.

$2,275/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 53%
$140,160/yr ↑ 152%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 60%
$864,800 ↑ 482%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 83%
$2,414/mo ↑ 136%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 58%
235,463
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
5.0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,216/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $14,592/year.

Median household income is $84,473/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Montgomery slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Montgomery — common questions

Is Arlington or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Montgomery?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $1,216/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Montgomery?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $84,473/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Alabama?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Montgomery details →

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