2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Salem, VA vs Arlington, VA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arlington or is it cheaper to live in Salem?
- Arlington is 93.1% more expensive than Salem.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arlington or Salem?
- Arlington housing costs are 273.1% more expensive than Salem housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Salem or is Health Care more affordable in Arlington.
- Health related expenses are 9.5% less in Arlington.
 Salem, VAArlington, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.3100
 Food & Groceries98.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.6100
 Housing72.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$750,500$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.5100
 Miscellaneous124.7  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 Salem    4 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

I am looking for property in  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

When we moved from Glen Allen VA to Salem I had read on here that cost of living including housing was cheaper. Housing is less unless you want a house bigger than 1300  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

Salem is a lovely town surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. Spring, Summer and Fall is exceptionally beautiful with moderate climate and lots of  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Salem

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


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.