Arlington, WA vs Lynnwood, WA

Arlington is moderately more affordable than Lynnwood, with a 6.3% lower cost of living index. Arlington scores 133 compared to 142 for Lynnwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lynnwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,764/month compared to $1,675/month in Lynnwood — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lynnwood has cheaper rent, Arlington actually has lower median home values ($492,600 vs $635,800).

Median household income in Arlington is $84,919 compared to $76,439 in Lynnwood (+11.1%). Arlington 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, less than the 26.3% in Lynnwood.

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