Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Olathe, KS (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Olathe

Kansas
104

Arlington is 95% more expensive than Olathe.

$2,275/mo ↑ 73%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↓ 42%
$140,160/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$112,232/yr ↓ 20%
$864,800 ↑ 154%
Home Value
$340,600 ↓ 61%
$2,414/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,662/mo ↓ 31%
235,463
Population
143,720

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
5.7%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Olathe, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $961/month cheaper in Olathe, saving renters about $11,532/year.

Median household income is $27,928/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $340,600 in Olathe.

Kansas has a lower income tax rate, making Olathe slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Olathe — common questions

Is Arlington or Olathe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Olathe is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Olathe?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Olathe it's $1,314/month — a difference of $961/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Olathe?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $112,232 in Olathe. Median household income is $27,928/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Kansas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Olathe?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Olathe has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Olathe details →

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