2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Arlington, VA vs Black Mountain, NC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Black Mountain or is it cheaper to live in Arlington?
- Black Mountain is 35.6% less expensive than Arlington.

Which city has more affordable housing, Black Mountain or Arlington?
- Black Mountain housing costs are 55.5% less expensive than Arlington housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Arlington or is Health Care more affordable in Black Mountain.
- Health related expenses are 22.2% more in Black Mountain.
 Arlington, VABlack Mountain, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries115.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock122.9100
 Housing269.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$446,800$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock83.2100
 Miscellaneous146.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Arlington    36 Reviews

Lived here 17 years, amazing  More

   |    Reply

Resident for 20 years. There is nothing hidden about Arlington. It is an affluent inner suburb of DC with a highly educated, mostly professional, population. The  More

   |    Reply

We've lived in Arlington for the past 7 years, and have enjoyed it but would prefer a less expensive, more open area. We live in a townhouse in Rosslyn, close to the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Arlington

Reviews for Black Mountain    3 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I lived in Black Mountain for about ten years and loved it! Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a great vibe. I had to move back to my home state because of family  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

Moved to the mountains only 2 years ago from a big NC city. Thought this area near Asheville would be nice, but the people here are unkind and no one associates outside  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

There is no town in the US that is more similar to a Thonas Kinkade painting than Black Mountain, NC. You have to experience the magic of the mountains here to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Black Mountain


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.