Arlington, VA vs Virginia Beach, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Virginia Beach, VA is dramatic. Virginia Beach is 56% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Virginia Beach sits at 114, 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 $1,649/month in Virginia Beach — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Virginia Beach is more affordable at $366,300 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $90,685 in Virginia Beach (+54.6%). 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 21.8% in Virginia Beach.