Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Arlington to Phoenix
Comparing Arlington, Virginia, and Phoenix, Arizona, using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates highlights distinct trade-offs between housing costs, household income, commute times, and tax structures. Arlington features a substantially higher median household income of $142,114 compared to Phoenix's $81,332, but it also carries significantly higher housing expenses, with a median gross rent of $2,322 and a median home value of $895,000 versus Phoenix's $1,582 rent and $420,700 home value. Commute times are nearly identical at 29 minutes for Arlington and 28 minutes for Phoenix. Additionally, Phoenix incorporates a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50%, while Arlington's state individual income tax is excluded from this profile. Neither city can be declared a universal winner based on these metrics alone.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → ArlingtonMoving from Arlington to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$740/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$8,880/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-1 min / day
Difference of ~8 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 → PHX
67/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$18,464after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $8,880 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Arlington gross rent$2,322
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Arlington | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 236,254 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $142,114 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $2,322 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $895,000 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 29 minutes in Arlington and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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 and home values
- Derived one-way commute duration
- State individual income-tax references
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do the populations of Arlington and Phoenix compare?
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Arlington, Virginia, has an estimated population of 236,254, whereas Phoenix, Arizona, is much larger with an estimated population of 1,642,323.
What are the housing cost differences between Arlington and Phoenix?
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates show that Arlington has a median gross rent of $2,322 and a median home value of $895,000, while Phoenix records a lower median gross rent of $1,582 and a median home value of $420,700.
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.