2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Arlington, VA vs Boulder, CO

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Boulder or is it cheaper to live in Arlington?
- Boulder is 14.0% less expensive than Arlington.

Which city has more affordable housing, Boulder or Arlington?
- Boulder housing costs are 19.7% more expensive than Arlington housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Arlington or is Health Care more affordable in Boulder.
- Health related expenses are 15.0% less in Boulder.
 Arlington, VABoulder, COUnited States
 Overall  Unlock141.3100
 Food & Groceries115.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.5100
 Housing269.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$997,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 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 Boulder    55 Reviews

Outside of the university, Boulder had a very distinctive "wealthy hippy" feel. A lot of alternative medicine and a matching ethos. This is changing some among my  More

   |    Reply

We moved here from Texas about 4 years ago and love it here! The amazing sense of community and high regard for the environment are two of the main reasons we love  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Most people do much worse than Boulder. I'm the most critical person I've ever met who is never happy or satisfied -- so that's a pretty huge compliment.   More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Boulder


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.