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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Visalia

California
104

Arlington is 95% more expensive than Visalia.

$2,275/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↓ 39%
$140,160/yr ↑ 75%
Median Income
$79,952/yr ↓ 43%
$864,800 ↑ 154%
Home Value
$340,600 ↓ 61%
$2,414/mo ↑ 60%
Owner Costs
$1,509/mo ↓ 37%
235,463
Population
142,649

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
21.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Visalia, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $878/month cheaper in Visalia, saving renters about $10,536/year.

Median household income is $60,208/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $340,600 in Visalia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Visalia — common questions

Is Arlington or Visalia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Visalia is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Visalia?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Visalia it's $1,397/month — a difference of $878/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Visalia?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $79,952 in Visalia. Median household income is $60,208/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 Visalia?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Visalia has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Visalia details →

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