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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Arlington is 71% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$2,275/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 25%
$140,160/yr ↑ 102%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 51%
$864,800 ↑ 134%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 57%
$2,414/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 31%
235,463
Population
119,508

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
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $566/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $6,792/year.

Median household income is $70,899/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Arlington or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $566/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $70,899/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 West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and West Palm Beach

Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings