Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Arlington to Los Angeles
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, comparing Arlington, Virginia, and Los Angeles, California, reveals distinct housing, income, and commute trade-offs. Arlington features a higher median household income of $142,114 alongside a median gross rent of $2,322 and a home value of $895,000, paired with a 29-minute commute. Los Angeles reports a lower median household income of $81,939, a median gross rent of $1,933, and a median home value of $921,200, alongside a 33-minute commute. Additionally, Los Angeles factors in a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 9.30%, while Arlington's state income tax is excluded from this profile. Neither city is designated a universal winner.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → ArlingtonMoving from Arlington to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
-$389/mo
Moving to Los Angeles saves ~$4,668/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+4 min / day
Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTARL → LAX
50/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$6,636after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Los Angeles is about $4,668 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Arlington household income$142,114
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Arlington gross rent$2,322
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Arlington | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 236,254 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $142,114 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $895,000 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 29 minutes in Arlington and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income differences
- Median gross rent comparison
- Owner-occupied home value variance
- Derived one-way commute duration
What each city wins
Arlington
A median household income of $142,114 paired with an $895,000 home value.. Watch a high median household income against an $895,000 median home value..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do the median household incomes compare between Arlington and Los Angeles?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Arlington has a median household income of $142,114, whereas Los Angeles records a median household income of $81,939.
What are the housing cost differences between Arlington and Los Angeles?
The 2024 ACS 5-year data shows a median gross rent of $2,322 and a home value of $895,000 in Arlington, compared to $1,933 gross rent and $921,200 home value in Los Angeles.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.