Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Arlington to New York
Comparing Arlington, Virginia, and New York, New York, using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs in housing costs, household income, commute times, and tax structures. Arlington posts a higher median household income of $142,114 alongside a steeper median gross rent of $2,322 and a median home value of $895,000, paired with a faster 29-minute derived one-way commute. Conversely, New York features a much larger population of 8,483,844, a lower median household income of $80,483, a median gross rent of $1,821, a median home value of $777,600, and a longer 44-minute commute. While Arlington lacks an approved state income-tax reference in this profile, New York incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 5.50%. Neither citywide profile establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to New York → ArlingtonMoving from Arlington to New York
Median Rent Impact
-$501/mo
Moving to New York saves ~$6,012/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+5.5%
~$5,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in New York.
Daily Commute Difference
+15 min / day
Difference of ~125 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 → NYC
51/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$12,236after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainThe deepest employment market and largest-city scale in the reviewed cohort
Watch closelyThe cohort's longest commute estimate plus a separate New York City resident income tax
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, New York is about $6,012 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
New York household income$80,483
Arlington gross rent$2,322
New York gross rent$1,821
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Arlington | New York |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 236,254 | 8,483,844 |
| Median household income | $142,114 | $80,483 |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 | $1,821 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $895,000 | $777,600 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 5.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 29 minutes in Arlington and 44 minutes in New York. 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 is significantly higher in Arlington.
- Median gross rent is lower in New York.
- Derived one-way commute is shorter in Arlington.
- Population scale differs vastly between the two cities.
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..
New York
The deepest employment market and largest-city scale in the reviewed cohort. Watch the cohort's longest commute estimate plus a separate new york city resident income tax.
Frequently asked questions
How do Arlington and New York compare in median household income?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Arlington has a median household income of $142,114, whereas New York records a median household income of $80,483.
What are the median gross rent and home value differences between Arlington and New York?
The 2024 ACS 5-year data shows Arlington has a median gross rent of $2,322 and a median home value of $895,000. New York reports a median gross rent of $1,821 and a median home value of $777,600.
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.