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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Arlington, VA: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

8.9% above

Cost of living in Arlington is 8.9% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (index 108.9; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Arlington is $2,347 a month.

Cost of living in Arlington by category

Overall prices

108.9U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+8.9% vs. U.S.

Goods
104.8 +4.8%
Housing (rents)
151.1 +51.1%
Utilities
106.7 +6.7%
Other services
102.3 +2.3%

BEA 2024 · Washington metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$2,347/mo

Median gross rent

+58% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$2,220 +71% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$2,691 +81% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$3,306 +97% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$945,700 +162% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$3,700 +82% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$173/mo

Average electric bill

+11% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
17.6¢/kWh −4% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.74/Mcf +12% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
106.7

EIA July 2026 · Virginia statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

27.5min

Mean travel time to work

About the same as U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
40.9%
Work from home
26.8%
Gasoline (PADD 1C avg.)
$4.07/gal −7% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$559/wk

Center care, infant

+222% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$496/wk +223% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$496/wk +244% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$385/wk +168% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Arlington County Details: Child care

Income

$133,582/yr

Median household income

+64% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
21%
Home value to income
7.1×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Arlington

Median gross rent in Arlington is $2,347 a month, 58% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $2,000–$2,499 range, which holds 22.7% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 43.1% pay $2,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $945,700.

Housing costs: Arlington vs. Virginia vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Arlington: $2,347; Virginia: $1,646; U.S.: $1,487 Arlington $2,347 Virginia $1,646 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Arlington: $3,700; Virginia: $2,149; U.S.: $2,035 Arlington $3,700 Virginia $2,149 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Arlington: $945,700; Virginia: $403,500; U.S.: $360,600 Arlington $945,700 Virginia $403,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureArlingtonVirginiaU.S.
Median monthly rent$2,347$1,646$1,487
Monthly owner costs$3,700$2,149$2,035
Median home value$945,700$403,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Arlington

What renters pay in Arlington Share of renter households paying cash rent in Arlington by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 0.8%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 11.1%. Median $2,347. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 0.8% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 1.4% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 1.4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 1.3% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 4.2% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 25.2% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 22.7% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 20.9% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 11.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 11.1% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $2,347 (Arlington) 25.2%
Show the data table
RangeArlingtonU.S.
Less than $5000.8%6.1%
$500–$7491.4%6.8%
$750–$9991.4%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2491.3%13.5%
$1,250–$1,4994.2%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99925.2%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49922.7%13.2%
$2,500–$2,99920.9%6.5%
$3,000–$3,49911.1%3.2%
$3,500 or more11.1%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Arlington

Measure Arlington Virginia U.S.
Median rent (all units) $2,347$1,646$1,487
1-bedroom rent $2,220$1,520$1,301
2-bedroom rent $2,691$1,555$1,490
3-bedroom rent $3,306$1,808$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $3,700$2,149$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Arlington?

At the median, rent takes about 21% of household income in Arlington. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $93,900 a year.

The median home is worth $945,700, or 7.1 times the median household income.

Household income in Arlington

The median household in Arlington earns $133,582 a year, 64% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 32.5% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 8.7% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Arlington vs. Virginia vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Arlington: $133,582; Virginia: $92,090; U.S.: $81,604 Arlington $133,582 Virginia $92,090 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureArlingtonVirginiaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$133,582$92,090$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Arlington

Household income distribution in Arlington Share of households in Arlington by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 5%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 32.5%. Median $133,582. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $10,000: 5% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 1.5% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 0.7% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 1.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 0.7% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 1.5% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 4.7% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 12.1% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 11% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 8.4% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 12.4% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 32.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $133,582 (Arlington) 32.5%
Show the data table
RangeArlingtonU.S.
Less than $10,0005%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9991.5%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9990.7%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9991.5%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9990.7%3%
$30,000–$34,9991.5%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9991%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9992.3%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9992.7%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9994.7%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99912.1%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99911%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9998.4%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99912.4%9.7%
$200,000 or more32.5%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Arlington Virginia U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $133,582$92,090$81,604
Median home value $945,700$403,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area scored 108.9 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 151.1; the lowest is other services at 102.3.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Washington metro area: 108.9; Virginia: 101.1; U.S.: 100.0 Washington metro area 108.9 Virginia 101.1 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Washington metro area: 104.8; Virginia: 100.4; U.S.: 99.6 Washington metro area 104.8 Virginia 100.4 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Washington metro area: 151.1; Virginia: 106.8; U.S.: 100.6 Washington metro area 151.1 Virginia 106.8 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Washington metro area: 106.7; Virginia: 92.2; U.S.: 98.4 Washington metro area 106.7 Virginia 92.2 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Washington metro area: 102.3; Virginia: 100.2; U.S.: 100.1 Washington metro area 102.3 Virginia 100.2 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureWashington metro areaVirginiaU.S.
All items108.9101.1100.0
Goods104.8100.499.6
Housing (rents)151.1106.8100.6
Utilities106.792.298.4
Other services102.3100.2100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Virginia paid an average of 17.6¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $173 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.74 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Virginia averages rather than figures for Arlington alone.

Energy prices: Virginia vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Virginia: 17.6¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Virginia 17.6¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Virginia: $173; U.S.: $157 Virginia $173 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Virginia: $21.74; U.S.: $19.40 Virginia $21.74 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureVirginiaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)17.6¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$173$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.74$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Arlington who commute spend an average of 27.5 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (40.9% of workers); 26.8% work from home. Gasoline in the Lower Atlantic region (PADD 1C), which includes Virginia, averaged $4.07 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Virginia price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Arlington: Drove alone 40.9%, Carpooled 5.1%, Public transit 19.5%, Walked 4.2%, Bicycle 1.2%, Worked from home 26.8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2.3%. Virginia: Drove alone 68.6%, Carpooled 8.7%, Public transit 3%, Walked 2.1%, Bicycle 0.3%, Worked from home 15.8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Arlington: Drove alone. Arlington Arlington · Drove alone: 40.9% 40.9% Arlington · Carpooled: 5.1% Arlington · Public transit: 19.5% 19.5% Arlington · Walked: 4.2% Arlington · Bicycle: 1.2% Arlington · Worked from home: 26.8% 26.8% Arlington · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2.3% Virginia Virginia · Drove alone: 68.6% 68.6% Virginia · Carpooled: 8.7% Virginia · Public transit: 3% Virginia · Walked: 2.1% Virginia · Bicycle: 0.3% Virginia · Worked from home: 15.8% 15.8% Virginia · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationArlingtonVirginiaU.S.
Drove alone40.9%68.6%69.2%
Carpooled5.1%8.7%9.2%
Public transit19.5%3%3.7%
Walked4.2%2.1%2.4%
Bicycle1.2%0.3%0.5%
Worked from home26.8%15.8%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)2.3%1.5%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Arlington

Travel time to work in Arlington Share of workers who do not work from home in Arlington by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.1%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 0.8%. Mean 27.5 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.1% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 5.4% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 8.7% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 15.1% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 15.3% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 8.4% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 16.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 4.6% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 7.7% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 12.3% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 4.2% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 0.8% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 27.5 min (Arlington) 16.5%
Show the data table
RangeArlingtonU.S.
Less than 5 min1.1%2.8%
5–9 min5.4%9.4%
10–14 min8.7%13.1%
15–19 min15.1%15%
20–24 min15.3%14.1%
25–29 min8.4%7%
30–34 min16.5%13.7%
35–39 min4.6%3.4%
40–44 min7.7%4.1%
45–59 min12.3%8.3%
60–89 min4.2%6.3%
90 min or more0.8%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Arlington

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $559 a week in Arlington County, or $29,086 over 52 weeks. That is 222% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Arlington County Virginia (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $559$191$174
Center-based care, toddler $496$147$153
Center-based care, preschool $496$141$144
Center-based care, school-age $416$142$120
Home-based family care, infant $385$158$143
Home-based family care, toddler $342$131$132
Home-based family care, preschool $342$131$131
Home-based family care, school-age $318$129$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Arlington prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Arlington?

Median rent is $2,220 for a one-bedroom and $2,691 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Arlington?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 3.6% pay less than $1,000 a month, 30.7% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 65.8% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Arlington?

To keep the median rent of $2,347 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $93,900 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Arlington more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area at 108.9 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 8.9% above average. Housing rents score 151.1.

How long is the average commute in Arlington?

27.5 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Arlington?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $559 a week in Arlington County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.