City Report · TN

Arlington

Pop. 15,205·2nd most expensive in Tennessee·Arlington rents are up 8.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,480/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.4%
vs US Median
+$515
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Arlington · $2,480
More expensive than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,480/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$99,000/yr
Local median income
$135,105/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Arlington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$2,048
2 BR
$1,765
3 BR
$2,310
4 BR+
$2,188
Research median
$1,765/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$29,760/yr
At $2,480/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.8% YoY, +2.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

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Demographics

Who lives here

Arlington, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 51.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,205
Median income
$135,105
Median age
36.7
Renters
15.3%
Age distribution
31.4%
16.6%
32.8%
Under 1831.4%
18–3416.6%
35–5432.8%
55–6410%
65+9.3%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
77.6%
13.1%
White77.6%
Black13.1%
Hispanic2.7%
Asian2.7%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
17.5%
28%
51.2%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma17.5%
Some college28%
Bachelor's+51.2%
Housing tenure
84.7%
15.3%
Owner84.7%
Renter15.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Arlington, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$104,637 → $135,105
up 29.1%
Population
14,158 → 15,205
up 7.4%
Renter share
15.7% → 15.3%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
48% → 51.2%
+3.2 pts
Median age
35.2 → 36.7
+1.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $135,105 today, compared with $104,637 five years earlier. Census counts show Arlington, TN adding about 1,047 residents over the five-year window, up 7.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 48% to 51.2% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Arlington

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View Arlington rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Arlington on your salary?

At $2,480/mo, how Arlington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Arlington rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Arlington. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Arlington

About renting in Arlington, TN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Arlington is $2,480/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,765/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,048/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,310/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($135,105/yr), Arlington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Arlington an affordable city for renters?

Arlington is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,480/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($135,105/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Arlington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Arlington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,480/mo in Arlington. The local median household income is $135,105/yr, meaning the typical Arlington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Arlington?

Rent in Arlington has increased 8.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Arlington rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Arlington is one of the pricier cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #2 out of 65 tracked cities at $2,480/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Arlington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Arlington ($2,480/mo): Lakeland ($1,725/mo), Cordova ($1,811/mo), Bartlett ($1,938/mo).

What percentage of Arlington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 15.3% of Arlington households are renters, while 84.7% are owner-occupied. Arlington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Arlington rent compare to the national average?

Arlington's median rent of $2,480/mo is $515 (26%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #2 out of 65 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,480/mo, rent takes ~22% of Arlington's median household income ($135,105/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Arlington 22%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Arlington affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Arlington, TN

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