True Cost of Renting in Arlington, VA

Arlington County sits directly across the Potomac from Washington DC and is the home of Amazon's HQ2 (National Landing), the Pentagon (25,000+ employees), and one of the densest concentrations of federal agencies and contractors in the nation. WMATA Orange, Blue, and Silver lines serve the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. Virginia's income tax (5.75% top rate) applies to Arlington residents.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Clarendon / Courthouse

Studio:
$2,000/mo
1 Bed:
$2,500/mo
2 Bed:
$3,600/mo

Walkable urban village along the WMATA Orange/Blue corridor; Clarendon has exceptional restaurants and nightlife. New luxury towers with amenity packages ($75–125/mo). Dominion Energy electric. Monthly SmarTrip Unlimited $100. Amazon HQ2 nearby drives demand.

Rosslyn / Crystal City (National Landing)

Studio:
$2,100/mo
1 Bed:
$2,700/mo
2 Bed:
$3,900/mo

Amazon HQ2 campus and Pentagon City; Crystal City is rebranding as National Landing. Luxury towers with amenity packages. Three WMATA stations (Crystal City, Pentagon City, Pentagon). Walking distance to DC via bridges. Most expensive Arlington submarket.

Ballston / Virginia Square

Studio:
$1,900/mo
1 Bed:
$2,400/mo
2 Bed:
$3,400/mo

Ballston Common mall renovation and new mixed-use development; less congested than Rosslyn. WMATA Orange/Silver lines. Marymount University is nearby. More families and government workers than the Clarendon bar scene. Still excellent transit access.

Utility Providers

Electric
Dominion Energy Virginia
Water
Arlington County Water and Sewer
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, RCN

Commute & Transportation

The Rosslyn-Ballston corridor WMATA stations (Rosslyn, Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square, Ballston) are among the most heavily used in the Metro system. The Pentagon WMATA station is a transit hub for 25,000 employees. Amazon HQ2 (National Landing) employs 25,000+ in the long-term plan. DC's Reagan National Airport (DCA) is on the Blue/Yellow lines at the National Airport station. I-66 and I-395 provide highway access to DC and the inner Virginia suburbs.

Rental Market Overview

Arlington is the premium inner suburb for DC-area renters and Amazon/tech employees. Dominion Energy Virginia electric rates are among the most competitive in the Metro DC area — a meaningful cost difference from Pepco-served DC neighborhoods. Monthly WMATA pass: $100. Virginia income tax (5.75%) is lower than DC's income tax (6%), a meaningful difference for higher earners. Amazon HQ2 has pushed National Landing rents up significantly. No broker fees are standard. Renters insurance averages $15–22/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Arlington

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Arlington: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Arlington?
One-bedroom apartments in Arlington range from $2,400/month in Ballston / Virginia Square to $2,700/month in Rosslyn / Crystal City (National Landing). Two-bedroom units range from $3,400 to $3,900/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Arlington?
In Arlington, electricity is provided by Dominion Energy Virginia, water by Arlington County Water and Sewer, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, RCN. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Arlington?
Ballston / Virginia Square is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Arlington, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $2,400/month. Ballston Common mall renovation and new mixed-use development; less congested than Rosslyn. WMATA Orange/Silver lines. Marymount University is nearby. More families and government workers than the Clarendon bar scene. Still excellent transit access. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Arlington expensive to rent in?
Arlington is the premium inner suburb for DC-area renters and Amazon/tech employees. Dominion Energy Virginia electric rates are among the most competitive in the Metro DC area — a meaningful cost difference from Pepco-served DC neighborhoods. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Arlington — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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