Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Arlington, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.8% of gross income.
Arlington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Arlington
View full rent data for Arlington, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Arlington, VA?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,680 a month. A typical pharmacist in Virginia earns about $135,405 a year, which makes that rent 23.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Arlington?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Virginia (~$135,405/yr) supports up to $3,385 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $2,680/mo, which leaves a $705/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Arlington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $65 an hour, a pharmacist in Virginia works roughly 41.2 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $2,680.
Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a pharmacist?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include McLean ($2,672/mo), McLean ($2,671/mo), McLean ($2,669/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.