Median rent is 0% lower in San Diego ($2,313/mo vs $2,322/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $895,000 versus $906,700. Households earn more in Arlington ($142,114 vs $108,077 a year). Taken together, Arlington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.5 against 110.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, VA.
Cost of living verdict
Arlington is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 109.5 in Arlington vs 110.7 in San Diego (US national average = 100)
City A
Arlington, VA
City B
San Diego, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Diego, CA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, VA?
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$75,820
You'd need $820 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
Virginia
San Diego
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $2,322/mo in Arlington and $2,313/mo in San Diego. Median home values are within 1% of each other: $895,000 in Arlington and $906,700 in San Diego.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
San Diego
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Arlington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) 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 San Diego?
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 110.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs San Diego?
Median rent is $2,322/mo in Arlington, VA and $2,313/mo in San Diego, CA. San Diego, CA has the lower rent by about 0%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or San Diego?
Median household income is $142,114 in Arlington, VA and $108,077 in San Diego, 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: 24.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or San Diego?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Diego to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, VA is equivalent to roughly $101,094 in San Diego, 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
