Arlington, WA vs Fircrest, WA

Arlington, WA and Fircrest, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Arlington scores 133 while Fircrest scores 129 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,764/month compared to $1,459/month in Fircrest — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fircrest has cheaper rent, Arlington actually has lower median home values ($492,600 vs $554,600).

Median household income in Arlington is $84,919 compared to $107,781 in Fircrest (-21.2%). Fircrest offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 24.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Fircrest.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.4°F vs 51.9°F). Fircrest receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 33.4" in Arlington.