Arlington, VA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Arlington, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Arlington →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Arlington, Virginia is home to roughly 235,845 residents. The typical household here earns $137,387 a year — above the median we track across cities (+91%).
Anyone weighing a move to Arlington should know the median home value is $833,300, above the multi-city median (+155%), and median rent runs $2,227 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
Buying a typical home in Arlington would take about 6.1 years of median household income — a high multiple that points to real affordability pressure. The local market has seen 1.44% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. FEMA rates Arlington's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Low — comparatively low, which tends to keep home insurance costs in check.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $2,227/mo in Arlington would take 19.5% of your income.
$1,208/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($833,300) would take 38.9% of your income toward principal & interest.
$1,243/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Arlington
Median home value is $833,300 and median gross rent is $2,227/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Arlington rose 1.44% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,246/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Arlington's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Low. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Moving to Arlington
Planning a move to Arlington? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Arlington's median home value at $833,300, median rent at $2,227/month, and median household income at $137,387.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Arlington?
- At Arlington's median rent of $2,227/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $89,080 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Arlington.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Arlington?
- Comparing the two in Arlington: renting at the median $2,227/month needs about $89,080 in annual income (30% guideline), while buying the $833,300 median home needs roughly $190,655 a year in principal-and-interest, assuming 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at current rates.
See the full salary breakdown for Arlington →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Arlington's.