Arlington, VA vs Suffolk, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Suffolk, VA is dramatic. Suffolk is 67.8% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Suffolk sits at 106, 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 $1,484/month in Suffolk — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Suffolk is more affordable at $329,600 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $90,089 in Suffolk (+55.6%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Suffolk.