Arlington, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Portsmouth, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 95% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Portsmouth sits at 91, 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 $2,275/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 80% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+137.7%). 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, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.