Median rent is 16% lower in Washington ($1,954/mo vs $2,322/mo). Buying is cheaper in Washington, where the median home runs $737,100 versus $895,000. Households earn more in Arlington ($142,114 vs $109,870 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (109.5).
City A
Arlington, VA
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, VA?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$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
Arlington
Virginia
Washington
District of Columbia
👥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 Washington at $1,954/mo compared to $2,322/mo in Arlington (16% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $895,000 in Arlington and $737,100 in Washington.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Arlington averages 24.0 AQI (Good) and Washington averages 24.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($142,114/yr).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,954/mo median).
Is Arlington cheaper than Washington?
Arlington 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 Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Washington?
Median rent is $2,322/mo in Arlington, VA and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Washington?
Median household income is $142,114 in Arlington, VA and $109,870 in Washington, DC. 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?
Washington, DC 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 — Arlington or Washington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Washington to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, VA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Washington, DC (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
