salaryArlington is the 3rd-largest city in Virginia that we track, with 236,254 residents. Rent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 77.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $106,640 a year. That is $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Virginia. It is number 156 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Arlington with other big cities
Compare Arlington to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Arlington?
Share of households by yearly income. 55.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Arlington
| Size | Arlington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,012 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,298 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,805 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,533 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Arlington overall?
Everyday prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Arlington
Life in Arlington
What jobs pay in Arlington
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $195,190 | 16.4% |
| Operations Manager | $156,460 | 20.4% |
| Software Developer | $154,930 | 20.6% |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | 21.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | 21.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | 23.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | 25.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | 26.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | 31.1% |
| Accountant | $102,140 | 31.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | 31.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $87,160 | 36.7% |
| Police Officer | $84,000 | 38.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,470 | 40.3% |
| Electrician | $75,930 | 42.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,860 | 42.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,920 | 44.5% |
| Plumber | $71,860 | 44.5% |
| Firefighter | $66,980 | 47.8% |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | 52.6% |
| Truck Driver | $59,820 | 53.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,640 | 68.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,220 | 69.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,040 | 69.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,730 | 70.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,920 | 74.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,590 | 75.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,610 | 87.4% |
| Cashier | $35,470 | 90.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Arlington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,544 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $895,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $89,500 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Arlington, VA?
Renting in Arlington costs a median of about $2,666 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Arlington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $106,640 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Arlington cheap or expensive?
Arlington is rated OK: rent takes 20.9% of the typical household income of $153,270. It ranks 156th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Arlington?
The median homeowner in Arlington pays $8,153 a year in property taxes, about 0.91% of the median home value.
Is Arlington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% 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 $895,000, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
236,254 people live in Arlington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.