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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Irvine is 26% more expensive than Arlington.

$2,893/mo ↑ 27%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↓ 21%
$129,647/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 8%
$1,115,400 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$864,800 ↓ 22%
$2,904/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↓ 17%
308,160
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $618/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $7,416/year.

Median household income is $10,513/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Arlington — common questions

Is Irvine or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 203 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Arlington?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $618/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Arlington?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $10,513/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Arlington details →

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