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City Report · VA

Arlington

Pop. 236,254·14th most expensive in Virginia·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,722/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.5%
Month-over-Month
+0.1%
vs US Median
+$757
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Arlington · $2,722
More expensive than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
46/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Arlington's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,722/mo
Expected by trend
$2,670/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Arlington's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,433
1 BR
$2,486
2 BR
$2,798
3 BR
$3,501
4 BR+
$4,124
Research median
$2,798/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
$32,664/yr
At $2,722/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (3.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.5% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Arlington, VA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 77.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
236,254
Median income
$142,114
Median age
35.5
Renters
58.7%
Age distribution
18%
31%
29%
Under 1818%
18–3431%
35–5429%
55–6410%
65+11.9%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
60.4%
15.9%
White60.4%
Black9.5%
Hispanic15.9%
Asian10.5%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
77.1%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma6.8%
Some college11.4%
Bachelor's+77.1%
Housing tenure
41.3%
58.7%
Owner41.3%
Renter58.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Arlington, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,046 → $2,722
up 33.0%
Income
$128,145 → $142,114
up 10.9%
Population
235,764 → 236,254
up 0.2%
Renter share
57.7% → 58.7%
+1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
76.3% → 77.1%
+0.8 pts

The median rent in Arlington, VA stood at $2,046 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,722, reflecting a 33.0% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $128,145 to $142,114 across the same window, up 10.9% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Arlington, VA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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 $2,722/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, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Arlington is $2,722/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,433/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,798/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,486/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,501/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($142,114/yr), Arlington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Arlington an affordable city for renters?

Arlington is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,722/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($142,114/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 $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,722/mo in Arlington. The local median household income is $142,114/yr, meaning the typical Arlington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Arlington?

Rent in Arlington has increased 3.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Arlington neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Arlington are 22204 ($2,285/mo), 22302 ($2,345/mo), and 22206 ($2,472/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Arlington is $2,722/mo.

How does Arlington rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Arlington is one of the pricier cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #14 out of 83 tracked cities at $2,722/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Arlington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Arlington ($2,722/mo): Lincolnia ($2,156/mo), Huntington ($2,202/mo), Alexandria ($2,318/mo).

What percentage of Arlington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.7% of Arlington households are renters, while 41.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Arlington has a strong rental market.

How does Arlington rent compare to the national average?

Arlington's median rent of $2,722/mo is $757 (39%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #14 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,722/mo, rent takes ~23% of Arlington's median household income ($142,114/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Arlington 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Arlington affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Arlington, VA

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