Arcola, VA vs Lake of the Woods, VA

The cost of living difference between Arcola, VA and Lake of the Woods, VA is dramatic. Lake of the Woods is 35.9% cheaper than Arcola, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arcola has a cost index of 164 while Lake of the Woods sits at 121, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcola is $2,508/month compared to $1,690/month in Lake of the Woods — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake of the Woods is more affordable at $377,500 median vs $602,700.

Median household income in Arcola is $133,992 compared to $112,917 in Lake of the Woods (+18.7%). The higher salaries in Arcola partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcola spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Lake of the Woods.