2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Arlington, VA vs Palm Desert, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palm Desert or is it cheaper to live in Arlington?
- Palm Desert is 20.1% less expensive than Arlington.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palm Desert or Arlington?
- Palm Desert housing costs are 41.9% less expensive than Arlington housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Arlington or is Health Care more affordable in Palm Desert.
- Health related expenses are 13.2% less in Palm Desert.
 Arlington, VAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries115.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing269.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$539,000$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.8100
 Miscellaneous146.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Arlington    36 Reviews

Lived here 17 years, amazing  More

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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

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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

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Reviews for Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

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Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

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I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

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