Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Stamford, CT (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Stamford

Connecticut
172

Arlington is 18% more expensive than Stamford.

$2,275/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$2,207/mo ↓ 3%
$140,160/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$107,474/yr ↓ 23%
$864,800 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$614,300 ↓ 29%
$2,414/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$2,358/mo ↓ 2%
235,463
Population
135,806

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
6.99%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Stamford, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $68/month cheaper in Stamford, saving renters about $816/year.

Median household income is $32,686/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $614,300 in Stamford.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Stamford — common questions

Is Arlington or Stamford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Stamford is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Stamford?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Stamford it's $2,207/month — a difference of $68/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Stamford?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $107,474 in Stamford. Median household income is $32,686/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Connecticut?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Stamford?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Stamford has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,207/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Stamford details →

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