Los Angeles
California
Pop. 3,881,041
VS
Arlington
Virginia
Pop. 235,845

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

47
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
59
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
Arlington wins 3–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Arlington wins 1–3 overall (59/100)
💰 Los Angeles is more affordable
💼 Arlington has lower unemployment
🛡️ Arlington has fewer disasters

📋 Los Angeles vs Arlington — The Verdict

Arlington scores 59/100 compared to Los Angeles's 47.5/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. Housing costs are nearly identical between the two cities. Arlington has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 3.6%. For safety-conscious movers, Arlington has a notably lower disaster history with 43 fewer declarations in 20 years.

💡 Key Differences
💰
Renting in Los Angeles saves you $436/month — that's $5,232 per year.
💵
Households in Arlington earn $61,143 more per year (80% higher median income).
📊
Arlington has a 1.9 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Arlington has experienced 43 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Los Angeles vs Arlington: Cost of Living Comparison
10
vs
0
Median Home Value
$822,600
$833,300
Median Rent /mo
$1,791
$2,227
Median Income
$76,244
$137,387
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Housing costs are remarkably similar between these two cities — just 1% apart on median home values. Your decision here will likely come down to other factors like jobs and climate.
💼 Los Angeles vs Arlington: Job Market & Salaries
35
vs
85
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
3.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Arlington has a substantially stronger job market with unemployment 1.9 percentage points lower. If you're relocating without a job lined up, this difference matters.
🌡️ Los Angeles vs Arlington: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Los Angeles vs Arlington: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
0
5 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Los Angeles vs Arlington: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Los Angeles vs Arlington: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
54
11
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Moderate
Arlington has a markedly lower disaster history — 43 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Los Angeles to Arlington: Common Questions

Is Los Angeles or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles is more affordable overall. Home prices are $10,700 lower in Los Angeles. Monthly rent is $1,791 in Los Angeles vs $2,227 in Arlington.
Does Los Angeles or Arlington have better weather?
Arlington scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Los Angeles or Arlington better for finding a job?
Arlington currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.5% in Los Angeles vs 3.6% in Arlington. Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles and $137,387 in Arlington.
Which city is safer — Los Angeles or Arlington?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Arlington is safer. Los Angeles has had 54 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 11 in Arlington. Los Angeles scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Arlington.
Should I move from Los Angeles to Arlington?
Based on our data, Arlington scores 59.0/100 vs Los Angeles's 47.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Los Angeles is more affordable, while Arlington has a better climate.

Planning to move from Los Angeles to Arlington?

Compare quotes from top-rated moving companies and save up to 40%

Get Free Moving Quotes →

🔗 Related Comparisons

More cities in California → More cities in Virginia →

📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.