Arlington, TN vs Oak Ridge, TN

The cost of living difference between Arlington, TN and Oak Ridge, TN is dramatic. Oak Ridge is 48% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 124 while Oak Ridge sits at 84, 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 $2,046/month compared to $1,076/month in Oak Ridge — a 90% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oak Ridge is more affordable at $233,500 median vs $367,700.

Median household income in Arlington is $125,909 compared to $71,000 in Oak Ridge (+77.3%). 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 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oak Ridge.