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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Ontario

California
152

Arlington is 34% more expensive than Ontario.

$2,275/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↓ 16%
$140,160/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↓ 41%
$864,800 ↑ 52%
Home Value
$568,000 ↓ 34%
$2,414/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↓ 19%
235,463
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $359/month cheaper in Ontario, saving renters about $4,308/year.

Median household income is $57,354/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Ontario — common questions

Is Arlington or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Ontario is cheaper to live in with an index of 152 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Ontario?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $359/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Ontario?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $57,354/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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Ontario details →

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