Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Arlington is 123% more expensive than Palm Bay.

$2,275/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↓ 35%
$140,160/yr ↑ 108%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↓ 52%
$864,800 ↑ 249%
Home Value
$248,000 ↓ 71%
$2,414/mo ↑ 101%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↓ 50%
235,463
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $788/month cheaper in Palm Bay, saving renters about $9,456/year.

Median household income is $72,639/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Arlington or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $788/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $72,639/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Florida?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Palm Bay details →

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