Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Sparks, NV (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Sparks

Nevada
126

Arlington is 61% more expensive than Sparks.

$2,275/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,651/mo ↓ 27%
$140,160/yr ↑ 61%
Median Income
$86,979/yr ↓ 38%
$864,800 ↑ 90%
Home Value
$455,900 ↓ 47%
$2,414/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,610/mo ↓ 33%
235,463
Population
109,106

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.85%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.53%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Sparks, NV, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $624/month cheaper in Sparks, saving renters about $7,488/year.

Median household income is $53,181/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $455,900 in Sparks.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Sparks residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Sparks — common questions

Is Arlington or Sparks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sparks is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Sparks?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Sparks it's $1,651/month — a difference of $624/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Sparks?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $86,979 in Sparks. Median household income is $53,181/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Nevada?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Sparks?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Sparks has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,651/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Sparks details →

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