Median rent is 1% lower in Arlington ($2,322/mo vs $2,352/mo). Buying is cheaper in Folsom, where the median home runs $755,200 versus $895,000. Households earn more in Arlington ($142,114 vs $139,804 a year). Taken together, Folsom is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 109.5 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Arlington, VA
City B
Folsom, CA
How much would you need to earn in Folsom, CA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, VA?
Equivalent salary in Folsom, CA
$74,691
You could earn $309 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Folsom
California
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $2,322/mo in Arlington and $2,352/mo in Folsom. Median home values are within 16% of each other: $895,000 in Arlington and $755,200 in Folsom.
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
Folsom
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Arlington (avg AQI 24.0) but not yet for Folsom.
Is Arlington cheaper than Folsom?
Folsom is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Folsom.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Folsom?
Median rent is $2,322/mo in Arlington, VA and $2,352/mo in Folsom, CA. Arlington, VA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Folsom?
Median household income is $142,114 in Arlington, VA and $139,804 in Folsom, CA. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Folsom?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Folsom to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, VA is equivalent to roughly $99,587 in Folsom, CA (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
