Arlington vs. Alexandria vs. DC
Cost of Living 2026
Median home prices, rents, property tax rates, and living wages compared side by side so you can make the right move decision for your budget.
The Short Answer
Arlington is the most expensive of the three for housing, with a median home price of approximately $783,000 and average rent of $2,643/month. Alexandria is the most affordable entry point at approximately $637,000 median and $2,137/month average rent. Washington DC sits between the two at approximately $700,000 median and $2,490/month average rent. Property tax rates: Arlington charges $1.033 per $100 assessed value, Alexandria $1.135 per $100, and DC $0.85 per $100 (residential Class 1). The MIT Living Wage for a single adult is $30.54/hour in Arlington, $28.98/hour in Alexandria, and $25.98/hour in DC. The bottom line: Alexandria offers the best price-to-access tradeoff for buyers who do not need to be in Clarendon or Rosslyn specifically. Arlington commands a premium for Metro walkability and school quality. DC varies dramatically by neighborhood.[1][2][3][4][5]
[1] Redfin housing market data. [2] RentCafe average rent data. [3] Arlington County FY2026 Budget. [4] DC Office of Tax and Revenue. [5] MIT Living Wage Calculator.
2026 Cost-of-Living Snapshot
Housing, taxes, rent, and living wage compared across Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, and Washington DC. Numbers are for comparison purposes; consult a local expert for your personalized budget.
[1] Redfin housing market data. [2] RentCafe average rent data. [3] Arlington County FY2026 Budget; Washington Post on Alexandria rates. [4] DC Office of Tax and Revenue (otr.cfo.dc.gov). [5] MIT Living Wage Calculator (livingwage.mit.edu). Numbers are for comparison; actual costs vary by neighborhood, property type, and individual circumstances.
Not Sure Which Market Fits Your Budget?
The KS Team builds a personalized monthly payment comparison across Arlington, Alexandria, and DC neighborhoods for every buyer consultation. Browse active listings or talk to the team about your specific budget and commute requirements.
What You Get for Your Money in Each Market
You Pay a Premium For:
Clarendon, Ballston, and Rosslyn have Walk Scores of 88 to 92 with Orange/Silver/Blue line stations. The premium is real but so is the convenience for no-car lifestyles.
Arlington Public Schools are among the most competitive in Virginia, with Washington-Liberty and Yorktown consistently ranked near the top of the state.
5 to 20 minutes to DC core via Metro. Rosslyn is 5 minutes. That commute advantage is priced in, and it holds value when you sell.
Virginia has no estate tax and generally lower income tax on retirement income than DC or Maryland. This matters significantly over a 10 to 20 year hold.
The Best Value Case For:
$637K median vs. $783K in Arlington. That $146K difference translates to roughly $700 to $900 per month in mortgage payment at current rates, which is a meaningful budget impact for most buyers.
Outside Old Town and Del Ray, Alexandria communities like Carlyle, West End, and Kingstowne offer larger lots and more square footage than equivalent Arlington price points.
King Street Metro is 2 stops from Crystal City (National Landing). Pentagon workers can bike the GW Parkway. Amazon HQ2 proximity without paying Clarendon prices.
Old Town's waterfront and Del Ray's village character offer a lifestyle quality that many buyers prefer over Arlington's more urban density at a lower price point.
The DC-Specific Factors:
DC's residential Class 1 rate of $0.85 per $100 is lower than both Arlington ($1.033) and Alexandria ($1.135). On a $700K home, that difference can mean $1,000 to $2,000 per year less in property taxes compared to Northern Virginia.
DC charges 1.45% of the sales price to record the deed at closing. On a $700,000 purchase, that is approximately $10,150 in cash due at settlement. Virginia's recordation rate is lower. This is a significant closing cost difference that is often overlooked in the DC vs. Virginia comparison.
The $700K DC median masks enormous range. Capitol Hill rowhouses, Logan Circle condos, and Petworth singles all price differently. DC requires more granular neighborhood research than Arlington or Alexandria.
DC residents pay DC income tax in addition to federal income tax. Virginia residents in Arlington and Alexandria pay Virginia state income tax, which is generally lower for most income levels than DC's rates. This is a meaningful annual cost difference for high earners.
How to Compare Total Monthly Cost
The list price is only the starting point. Total monthly cost includes:
Mortgage principal and interest (varies by rate and down payment)
Property taxes (Arlington $1.033/$100, Alexandria $1.135/$100, DC $0.85/$100)
HOA or condo fee (especially relevant for Arlington and DC condo buyers)
Homeowners insurance (similar across all three markets)
Maintenance reserve (1% of home value per year as a planning baseline)
Commute cost (saved car costs and parking can offset higher rent/mortgage near Metro)
Illustrative only. Excludes insurance, HOA/condo fees, and maintenance. Actual rate varies by lender and credit profile. DC closing costs include higher recordation tax than Virginia.
Related Resources
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Alexandria has the lowest median home price ($637K) and lowest average rent ($2,137/month) of the three markets. Arlington is the most expensive for housing ($783K median, $2,643/month rent). DC sits between the two on headline numbers at approximately $700K median and $2,490/month rent, but DC's property tax rate (0.85%) is lower than both Virginia jurisdictions, and DC neighborhoods vary enormously in price by location.[1][2]
Yes, for residential property. DC's Class 1 residential rate is $0.85 per $100 of assessed value. Arlington charges $1.033 per $100 and Alexandria charges $1.135 per $100. On a $700,000 home, that means approximately $5,950/year in DC vs. $7,231/year in Arlington vs. $7,945/year in Alexandria in property taxes. However, DC homeowners also pay DC income tax (which has no analog for Virginia residents), so the total tax picture is more complex than the property tax rate alone suggests.[3][4]
Yes, in most scenarios. The $146,000 difference in median home price between Arlington and Alexandria translates to roughly $700 to $900 per month in mortgage payment at current rates. Alexandria still provides Blue and Yellow Metro access, Pentagon and Amazon HQ2 proximity, and strong appreciation in neighborhoods like Old Town and Del Ray. The tradeoffs are a slightly longer Metro commute (15 minutes vs. 5 to 12 minutes from Arlington) and less immediate proximity to Clarendon and Ballston amenities.
Compare total monthly payment (mortgage + property tax + HOA/condo fee + insurance + maintenance reserve) rather than list price. Then layer in: commute time and cost (savings on parking and car can offset higher rent/mortgage near Metro), school district assignment by specific address, and resale potential based on Metro proximity and walkability score. Do not compare Arlington's peak walkability corridor to Alexandria's less-walkable western neighborhoods, or to DC's outer neighborhoods, as these are not equivalent value propositions.
Yes, significantly at closing. DC charges 1.45% of the sales price to record the deed. On a $700,000 DC purchase, that is approximately $10,150 in additional closing costs due at settlement. Virginia's recordation tax rate is lower. This means the true cost of buying in DC vs. Northern Virginia includes a meaningful upfront closing cost difference that does not show up in the median price comparison. First-time buyers often budget for down payment and mortgage but overlook this DC-specific cost.
Ready to Choose the Right DMV Market?
Whether you are deciding between Arlington and Alexandria, weighing DC vs. Virginia taxes, or figuring out your total monthly budget, the KS Team can model the full cost comparison for your specific situation.
