Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Salt Lake City

Utah
117

Arlington is 74% more expensive than Salt Lake City.

$2,275/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,343/mo ↓ 41%
$140,160/yr ↑ 87%
Median Income
$74,925/yr ↓ 47%
$864,800 ↑ 74%
Home Value
$495,700 ↓ 43%
$2,414/mo ↑ 73%
Owner Costs
$1,394/mo ↓ 42%
235,463
Population
203,888

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
4.65%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.1%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.58%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Salt Lake City, UT, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $932/month cheaper in Salt Lake City, saving renters about $11,184/year.

Median household income is $65,235/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $495,700 in Salt Lake City.

Utah has a lower income tax rate, making Salt Lake City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Salt Lake City — common questions

Is Arlington or Salt Lake City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Salt Lake City is cheaper to live in with an index of 117 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Salt Lake City?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Salt Lake City it's $1,343/month — a difference of $932/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $74,925 in Salt Lake City. Median household income is $65,235/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Utah?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,343/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Salt Lake City details →

More Comparisons

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