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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

San Francisco is 32% more expensive than Arlington.

$2,419/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↓ 6%
$141,446/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$140,160/yr ≈ Same
$1,380,500 ↑ 60%
Home Value
$864,800 ↓ 37%
$2,620/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↓ 8%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $144/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $1,728/year.

Median household income is $1,286/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Arlington — common questions

Is San Francisco or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 203 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Arlington?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $144/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Arlington?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $1,286/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Arlington details →

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