Median rent is 10% lower in Alexandria ($2,089/mo vs $2,322/mo). Buying is cheaper in Alexandria, where the median home runs $735,100 versus $895,000. Households earn more in Arlington ($142,114 vs $119,681 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (109.5).
City A
Alexandria, VA
City B
Arlington, VA
How much would you need to earn in Arlington, VA to maintain your standard of living from Alexandria, VA?
Equivalent salary in Arlington, VA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Alexandria
Virginia
Arlington
Virginia
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Alexandria at $2,089/mo compared to $2,322/mo in Arlington (10% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $735,100 in Alexandria and $895,000 in Arlington.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Alexandria
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Alexandria averages 24.0 AQI (Good) and Arlington averages 24.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($142,114/yr).
Is Alexandria cheaper than Arlington?
Alexandria is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Alexandria.
How much is rent in Alexandria vs Arlington?
Median rent is $2,089/mo in Alexandria, VA and $2,322/mo in Arlington, VA. Alexandria, VA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Alexandria or Arlington?
Median household income is $119,681 in Alexandria, VA and $142,114 in Arlington, VA. Arlington, VA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Arlington, VA has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 24.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Alexandria or Arlington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Arlington to match my Alexandria income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Alexandria, VA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Arlington, VA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
