salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 92% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.7 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 32.2 minutes each way. It is a highly educated city: 76.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $111,880 a year. That is $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 93 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Arlington?
Share of households by yearly income. 60.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Arlington
| Size | Arlington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,793 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,825 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,611 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,674 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,859 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Arlington overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Arlington, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Arlington
Life in Arlington
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Arlington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,682 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $933,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $93,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Arlington, MA?
Renting in Arlington costs a median of about $2,797 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Arlington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $111,880 a year, or $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Arlington cheap or expensive?
Arlington is rated OK: rent takes 20.7% of the typical household income of $162,531. It ranks 93rd cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Arlington?
The median homeowner in Arlington pays $9,604 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is Arlington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Arlington?
The median home value in Arlington is $933,800, about 5.7 times the typical yearly household income.
46,350 people live in Arlington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.