True Cost of Renting in Arlington, VA

Arlington is where Metro access meets Pentagon employment and Amazon HQ2 — the most expensive rental market in Virginia and among the top 15 most expensive in the US. The Rosslyn-Ballston Metro corridor has the highest concentration of high-income renters in the Mid-Atlantic outside of New York and San Francisco. Understanding parking, amenity fees, and Dominion Energy bills is essential before signing.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Rosslyn / Courthouse

Studio:
$2,100/mo
1 Bed:
$2,400/mo
2 Bed:
$3,200/mo

DC skyline views across the Potomac; Blue/Orange Metro lines. All luxury high-rises with amenity packages ($100–150/mo), parking ($200–250/mo), and valet trash. Walkable to Georgetown via Key Bridge. Amazon HQ2 Crystal City is 2 Metro stops south. Dominion Energy electric.

Clarendon / Virginia Square

Studio:
$1,900/mo
1 Bed:
$2,200/mo
2 Bed:
$2,900/mo

Metro corridor between Rosslyn and Ballston; excellent walkability, dining, and nightlife. Clarendon Market Common has dense retail. All Metro-walkable — many residents go car-free, saving $400–600/month vs car ownership. Dominion Energy electric.

Crystal City / National Landing

Studio:
$1,800/mo
1 Bed:
$2,100/mo
2 Bed:
$2,800/mo

Amazon HQ2 epicenter; massive new development and existing older buildings being renovated. Blue/Yellow Metro lines. Reagan National Airport is walkable. Rents rising faster than rest of Arlington due to Amazon demand. Building amenities vary widely by age.

Utility Providers

Electric
Dominion Energy Virginia
Water
Arlington County Utilities
Internet
Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity

Commute & Transportation

Arlington is the Metro's western DC gateway — Blue/Orange/Silver lines run through the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor connecting to downtown DC (15–25 min), Reagan National Airport (5–10 min from Crystal City), and Dulles Airport via the Silver Line (50 min). The Pentagon is in Arlington, directly on the Yellow/Blue Metro lines. I-66 runs east-west; I-395 runs north-south to Springfield. Car ownership is unnecessary for Metro-corridor residents — a major all-in cost saver at $400–600/month versus suburban alternatives.

Rental Market Overview

Arlington is the highest-rent jurisdiction in Virginia. Amazon HQ2's Phase 2 buildout (2024–2026) is driving additional demand in Crystal City/National Landing. Dominion Energy bills average $80–130/month — lower than Florida because DC-area summers are milder. The no-car premium is the key Arlington value proposition: eliminating a car saves $400–600/month, making a $2,400 Arlington 1BR genuinely competitive with a $1,800 suburban Fairfax unit that requires car ownership. Parking in Arlington buildings runs $200–250/month — ask if it's required or optional before signing.

Data last updated: 2026-04

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