Cost of Living in Arlington, MA

With a cost of living index of 173, Arlington, MA is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 73% more expensive than the national average and 44% above the Massachusetts state average of 129. With a population of 46,015, Arlington is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Arlington's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,043 (55% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $885,000 (190% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Arlington is $141,440, which is 88% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 17% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Arlington. The area sees an average annual temperature of 50.5°F, with summers averaging 71°F and winters around 30°F. Annual rainfall totals 42.6 inches spread over roughly 141 days.

Everyday prices in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.