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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Murrieta

California
175

Arlington is 16% more expensive than Murrieta.

$2,275/mo ↓ 2%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 2%
$140,160/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↓ 22%
$864,800 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$606,900 ↓ 30%
$2,414/mo ↑ 1%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↓ 1%
235,463
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $55/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $660/year.

Median household income is $30,380/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Murrieta — common questions

Is Arlington or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Murrieta is cheaper to live in with an index of 175 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Murrieta?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $55/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Murrieta?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $30,380/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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Murrieta details →

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