CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Chesapeake, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Chesapeake
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Chesapeake is moderately cheaper than Arlington — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $76,000 in Chesapeake. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing15.4%
Arlington
117.9
Chesapeake
99.8
🛒 Groceries5.8%
Arlington
102.8
Chesapeake
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Arlington
104.7
Chesapeake
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Arlington
94.7
Chesapeake
93.7
Utilities1.2%
Arlington
90.7
Chesapeake
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Arlington to see what you'd need to earn in Chesapeake to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Chesapeake, VA
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Chesapeake

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.9496. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Chesapeake, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Arlington has 15.4% lower housing costs compared to Chesapeake.

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

Chesapeake, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
249,422
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturingGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Chesapeake, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.