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City Report · WA

Arlington

Pop. 21,095·46th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Arlington, WA
Median rent (all units)
$2,183/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.5%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$218
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Arlington · $2,183
More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
62/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Arlington's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,183/mo
Expected by trend
$2,324/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
$1,990
1 BR
$2,050
2 BR
$2,390
3 BR
$3,160
4 BR+
$3,680
Research median
$2,390/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
$26,196/yr
At $2,183/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Arlington, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,095
Median income
$88,231
Median age
36.6
Renters
37.8%
Age distribution
25.1%
21.8%
27.4%
13.8%
Under 1825.1%
18–3421.8%
35–5427.4%
55–6411.9%
65+13.8%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
73.8%
16%
White73.8%
Black1.4%
Hispanic16%
Asian5.4%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
31.3%
38.9%
20.8%
No HS diploma9%
HS diploma31.3%
Some college38.9%
Bachelor's+20.8%
Housing tenure
62.2%
37.8%
Owner62.2%
Renter37.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Arlington, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,667 → $2,183
up 31.0%
Income
$87,708 → $88,231
up 0.6%
Population
19,832 → 21,095
up 6.4%
Renter share
33.9% → 37.8%
+3.9 pts
Bachelor's+
20.9% → 20.8%
-0.1 pts
Median age
39.2 → 36.6
-2.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Arlington, WA has climbed by $516 per month, settling near $2,183 after starting the period at $1,667. Census figures show median household income at $88,231 today, compared with $87,708 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 30.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 19,832 to 21,095 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.4% change. About 37.8% of households rent today, against 33.9% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

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 $2,183/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, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Arlington is $2,183/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,990/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,160/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($88,231/yr), Arlington ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Arlington an affordable city for renters?

Arlington is considered moderate for renters. At $2,183/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($88,231/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Arlington slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,183/mo in Arlington. The local median household income is $88,231/yr, meaning the typical Arlington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Arlington?

Rent in Arlington has increased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Arlington rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Arlington is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #46 out of 110 tracked cities at $2,183/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Arlington?

Mount Vernon is nearby and more affordable at $2,084/mo, which is $99 less than Arlington.

What percentage of Arlington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.8% of Arlington households are renters, while 62.2% 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 $2,183/mo is $218 (11%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #46 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,183/mo, rent takes ~30% of Arlington's median household income ($88,231/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Arlington 30%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Arlington, WA

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