Median rent is 8% lower in Boston ($2,147/mo vs $2,322/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $895,000. Households earn more in Arlington ($142,114 vs $97,344 a year). Taken together, Arlington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.5 against 110.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, VA.
Quick verdict
Arlington is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 109.5 in Arlington vs 110.4 in Boston (US average = 100)
City A
Arlington, VA
City B
Boston, MA
How much would you need to earn in Boston, MA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, VA?
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$75,582
You'd need $582 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Arlington
Virginia
Boston
Massachusetts
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Boston at $2,147/mo compared to $2,322/mo in Arlington (8% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $895,000 in Arlington and $731,700 in Boston.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Arlington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($142,114/yr).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Arlington cheaper than Boston?
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Boston?
Median rent is $2,322/mo in Arlington, VA and $2,147/mo in Boston, MA. Boston, MA has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Boston?
Median household income is $142,114 in Arlington, VA and $97,344 in Boston, MA. Arlington, VA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Arlington, VA has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Boston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Boston to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, VA is equivalent to roughly $100,776 in Boston, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
