Median rent is 17% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,275/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $864,800 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Arlington ($140,160 vs $80,366 a year). Taken together, Arlington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 103.4 against 113.3 — about 9% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, VA.
Quick verdict
Arlington is 9% cheaper overall
Cost index: 103.4 in Arlington vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Arlington, VA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, VA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$82,177
You'd need $7,177 more (10% 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
Los Angeles
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 rent is modestly lower in Los Angeles at $1,879/mo compared to $2,275/mo in Arlington (17% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $864,800 in Arlington and $879,500 in Los Angeles.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75% versus 13.30% in California, so Arlington is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.30% in Virginia and 7.25% in California; Arlington has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Arlington
Income tax: 5.75%
Sales tax: 5.30%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Arlington has cleaner air on average: 58.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Arlington if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 103.4 vs 113.3).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,160/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 58.0).
Is Arlington cheaper than Los Angeles?
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 103.4 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $2,275/mo in Arlington, VA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington, VA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, 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?
Arlington, VA has better air quality on average: 58.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Los Angeles?
Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75% and California's is 13.30%. Arlington, VA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, VA is equivalent to roughly $109,569 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology