Arlington, MA vs Fall River, MA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, MA and Fall River, MA is dramatic. Fall River is 77.1% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 173 while Fall River sits at 98, 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 Arlington is $2,043/month compared to $1,086/month in Fall River — a 88% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fall River is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $885,000.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $53,933 in Fall River (+162.3%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Fall River.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 50.4°F). Fall River receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Arlington.