D-
33%
Overall NAT. AVG.
19%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
76%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Arlington Washington National
Cost of living133118100
Goods & Services119111100
Groceries112110100
Health care118120100
Housing176135100
Transportation122123100
Utilities9592100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Arlington, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Arlington allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Arlington stands at 133, marking it 33% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Arlington may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Arlington falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Arlington cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 75.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Arlington, you you will have to spend 18.7% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Arlington, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 12.4% higher than the national average.

Is Arlington Affordable?

Is Arlington affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Arlington, the median home price is 87.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 48.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Arlington boasting a median household income of $77,023, 39.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Arlington?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Arlington, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.5%, and income tax rates start at 0%.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Arlington, healthcare costs are 18% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Arlington displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Arlington is 13% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Arlington is 33% higher than the national average
  • Arlington housing is 76% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Arlington

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Compare Arlington, WA Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$93,538$7,795$2,182$2,806
      Renters$50,112$4,176$1,169$1,504
      The affordability of the housing market in Arlington, WA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Arlington homeowners, the median income is $93,538. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,182 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $50,112. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,169 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Arlington National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.33$24.2629.1%
      Beauty Salon $49.67$45.569.0%
      Toothpaste $3.89$3.705.1%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.285.8%
      Movie $12.43$12.132.4%
      Bowling $18.08$18.000.5%

      Groceries

      Item Arlington National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.18$5.845.9%
      Fried Chicken $2.23$1.5742.0%
      Milk $4.87$4.674.2%
      Potatoes $4.43$4.9310.2%
      Pizza $13.35$12.0910.4%
      Beer $11.13$10.416.9%

      Health Care

      Item Arlington National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $132.73$125.685.6%
      Doctor $183.40$135.7835.1%
      Dentist $146.29$113.2929.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.37$10.656.7%
      Lipitor $508.19$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item Arlington National avg. Difference
      Home Price $345,800.00$184,700.0087.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,228.87$2,346.6937.6%
      Apartment Rent $1,412.00$949.0048.8%

      Transportation

      Item Arlington National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.14$3.4619.7%
      Tire Balancing $65.57$59.929.4%

      Utilities

      Item Arlington National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $163.64$193.9915.6%
      Phone $200.10$192.254.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hat Island, WA6111414.5%
      Conway, WA4011010.5%
      Northwest Stanwood, WA7911010.5%
      Silvana, WA1411010.5%
      Lake McMurray, WA47811212.0%
      Arlington, WA19,94713332.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rio Rico, AZ19,948990.9%
      Camrose, AB19,951n/a 
      Rosedale, MD19,9631099.0%
      North Ogden, UT19,93011312.7%
      Havelock, NC19,927955.0%
      Arlington, WA19,94713332.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.