| Index | Arlington | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 175 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 320 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 113 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 114 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
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 175, marking it 75% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Arlington may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Arlington falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Arlington, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 219.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Arlington. The feedback revealed that 11% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 89% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Arlington is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Arlington, for example, the median home price is 277% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 86.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Arlington boasting a median household income of $168,312, which is 106.9% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Arlington, the healthcare costs are 15.9% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Arlington, the transportation index is 13.2% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Arlington are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $236,608 | $19,717 | $5,520 | $7,099 |
| Renters | $117,844 | $9,820 | $2,750 | $3,536 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Maynard, MA | 11,308 | 133 | 32.8% |
| Lynn, MA | 97,235 | 134 | 34.4% |
| Salem, MA | 44,881 | 135 | 35.3% |
| Chelsea, MA | 41,000 | 135 | 35.2% |
| Saugus, MA | 29,084 | 139 | 38.9% |
| Arlington, MA | 46,742 | 175 | 74.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lake Ridge, VA | 46,761 | 131 | 30.8% |
| Attleboro, MA | 46,708 | 126 | 25.6% |
| Herriman, UT | 46,782 | 132 | 31.8% |
| Oro Valley, AZ | 46,840 | 123 | 23.0% |
| Coachella, CA | 46,858 | 115 | 14.9% |
| Arlington, MA | 46,742 | 175 | 74.9% |
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