arlington
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Wondering how it would be to live in Arlington, Virginia? The city is rich in wealth and history and its ties to the past are so strong that Arlington is home to some of the landmarks of the country including the Pentagon and the Arlington National Cemetery.

Situated on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, Arlington is one of the sought-after addresses in the US. Maybe, the proximity to Washington DC is a major reason and you need to know that the national capital is just 15 minutes away.

A splendid city with scenic settings, Arlington is also a major economic hub of Virginia. If you are moving to Arlington for a job, change in scene, family, or quality of life, you are making the right choice.   However, you need to know the city inside and outside before you make the final call.

Here’s our Arlington moving directory that covers everything about the city. The cost of living, healthcare, safety, transport, education, jobs, taxes – every aspect of the city is explained in detail to help you make a decision about moving there.

Without wasting much time, let’s delve into the city details.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Arlington, VA

  • Arlington is just a 15-minute drive away from Washington DC.
  • The city is on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River.
  • The city is the third most populous in Virginia.
  • It is just less than 26 square miles in area.
  • The city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Virginia.
  • A major population commutes to Washington DC regularly for jobs.
  • The government sector and government contracts are the major job providers.
  • Banking, IT, aviation, and finance are other major businesses.
  • The city is highly diverse in terms of population.
  • It ranks high in terms of education.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Arlington, VA

  • The city is highly expensive.
  • The proximity to Washington DC makes it a major economic hub.
  • There is no shortage of jobs.
  • The demographics are highly diverse.
  • There is a favorable business environment.
  • There is a lot to explore outside.
  • There are plenty of open spaces and parks.
  • Most people travel to Washington DC regularly for jobs.
  • There is a strong feeling of community among residents.
  • Traffic is a major concern here.

Is Arlington, VA a good place to live?

With an urban setting, lying next to Washington DC, the city is one of the best addresses you can have. Living here, you’ll be sharing the neighborhoods with artists and professionals. Arlington also hosts different programs year-round. In addition, the demographics are also diverse.

Is Arlington affordable to live in?

Arlington is one of the most expensive cities in the country. The proximity to Washington DC, along with the plenty of jobs and recreation avenues make it a sought-after city and it is natural that the residents will need to shell out a big amount to survive here. As per recent stats, Arlington’s cost of living is 64.3% higher than the US average and 57.7% higher than the state average.

Why move to Arlington?

Moving here, you’ll be residing in one of the best places in the country, just near Washington DC, and commuting to the national capital for the job will be much easier. Moreover, the city is multiracial, organized, and also eventful. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, retailers, and services within walking distance of the downtown square. This means you can walk here comfortably in the mornings and evenings.

What's the population of Arlington, VA?

As of 2020, about 235,764 people reside in Arlington, which means 9,263 persons per square mile. The population is highly diverse when it comes to race. The city’s median age is 38.4 and the number of people per household is 2.3.

To know the population better, here are a few stats:

  • Arlington’s total population is 235,764.
  • The population is made up of 50.3% males and 49.7% females.
  • The median age in Arlington is 38.4.
  • The city population is made up of 62.3% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 10.2% Asian, 0.3% Native American, and 2.7% from two or more races.
  • About 15.5% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • The median household size in Arlington is 2.3 persons.
  • About 45.2% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 10.5% of the residents are single and have children.

How fast can you commute to Arlington, VA?

Maybe you are curious to know how much time it will take to drive from home to the office and back. Arlington is notorious for its traffic, especially during peak hours, and the average travel time is much higher than the US average. Here, the one-way commute in Arlington takes 28.6 minutes, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly in Arlington, here are the latest stats:

  • About 53.4% drive their car alone.
  • About 6.2% carpool with others.
  • About 6.6% work from home.
  • Approximately 26.0% take mass transit.

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What is the weather like in Arlington, VA?

The city has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. July is the hottest month while January is the coldest. It snows about 15 inches annually, and the city also receives 43 inches of rain on average.

Here are a few Arlington weather facts:

  • The city receives about 43 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • Arlington averages 15 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 201 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 117 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
move to Arlington, VA

Top reasons to move to Arlington, VA

Arlington is a popular moving destination and hundreds of Americans are relocating here from different parts of the country. And if you have ever wondered what makes the city a hot moving place, here are 6 reasons.

Since you’re considering moving to Arlington, VA, the following are the key reasons people are moving to the city:

  • Proximity to Washington DC
  • Job opportunities
  • Racial diversity
  • Plenty of water
  • More open spaces
  • Unlimited entertainment options
pros and cons of Arlington, VA

Pros & Cons of Moving to Arlington, VA

Before you make up your mind to pack the bags to Arlington, it is vital to analyze both the pros and cons of moving here. To help you, we’ve got the best and worst of the city. Cross-check both before you take the final call.

And because you’re serious about relocating to Arlington, knowing both the pros and cons of moving to Arlington will help you.

Pros of living in Arlington
  • Diverse population
  • Job diversity
  • Plenty of parks
  • Thriving food scene
  • High standard education
  • Safety
Cons of living in Arlington
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Expensive housing
  • Noise pollution

Best neighborhoods near Arlington

While you plan to move to Arlington, staying in a decent neighborhood will be the priority. And you are lucky that there are many fabulous neighborhoods in the city to raise a family. We’ve filtered out the best neighborhoods In Arlington and around.

Here are the 10 best neighborhoods in Arlington and around to rent or buy a house.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1. Colonial Village 2,992 $636,603
2. Radnor/Fort Myer Heights 16,392 $670,785
3. Clarendon/Court House 9,740 $654,082
4. Dominion Hills 2,009 $692,324
5. Ballston 14,067 $531,530
6. Bluemont 7,492 $590,682
7. Waycroft/Woodlawn 1,504 $591,360
8. North Highland 4,490 $463,223
9. Cherrydale 3,026 $475,643
10. Columbia Heights 5,529 $507,424

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Cost of living in Arlington, VA

One of the major factors that you need to consider while thinking about moving to Arlington is the high cost of living. The city is a major economic center and this makes everything including housing, transport healthcare, and groceries expensive. Arlington is 64.3% more expensive than the US average and 57.7% costlier than the Virginia average.

Here is a break-up of the cost of living in Arlington.

Living Expense Arlington Virginia National Average
Overall 164.3 104.2 100
Grocery 115.2 99.6 100
Health 100.6 103.1 100
Housing 269.4 112.9 100
Median Home Cost $750,500 $343,200 $291,700
Utilities 98.3 99.3 100
Transportation 122.5 99.4 100
Miscellaneous 146.7 113.7 100
Job Market

How is the job market in Arlington, VA?

Arlington’s job market is robust and the future job growth in the city is an impressive 25.58%, which is significantly higher than the US average. The city’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in Virginia and the industry is highly diverse. Moreover, the city is just a 15-minute drive from Washington DC. And that proves Arlington is one of the most impressive places to search for a job in the state.

And we’ve got a few job-related facts in Arlington, which may benefit you.

  • The job growth in Arlington has been positive.
  • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 25.58%.
  • The unemployment rate here is 4.0%.
  • Jobs have increased by 5.3% over the past year.
  • The average salary in Arlington is $128,145.
  • The median home cost in Arlington is $750,500

Here is a breakdown table to better understand the Arlington job market.

Employment Information Arlington, Virginia United States
The income per Cap $77,535 $37,638
Household Income $128,145 $69,021
Unemployment Rate 4.0% 6.0%
Recent Job Growth 5.3% -6.2%
Future Job Growth 25.58% 33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in Arlington, VA

The proximity to the national capital along with the booming economy contributes to the job sector in Arlington and the city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Virginia. And that means you can confidently move here for a job. We know that having a list of fast-growing jobs in hand makes job hunting easier in the city and our experts have got a list of the 10 fastest-growing jobs in Arlington and neighboring areas.

Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Arlington.

Rank Job Title Growth Rate Average Salary Openings in 2024
1 Home health aides 122.7% $121,000 Not Provided
2 Market research analysts 120.1% $148,000 Not Provided
3 Medical secretaries 117.9% $122,090 Not Provided
4 Emergency medical technicians 117.1% $118,910 Not Provided
4 Software developers 117.1% $134,455 Not Provided
5 Medical assistants 116.3% $111,210 Not Provided
6 Registered nurses 112.1% $98,100 Not Provided
7 Computer system administrators 111.1% $109,100 Not Provided
8 Pharmacy technicians 108.2% $79,100 Not Provided
9 Landscaping & groundskeeping workers 108.1% $67,900 Not Provided
10 Computer system analysts 105.1% $109,300 Not Provided

Top career options in Arlington

While you look for a job in Arlington, the salary will be a vital factor. Arlington is an expensive city and fortunately, the companies in the city also pay a good salary for living. Moving here, you can be sure about the salary pattern and we’ve thought of giving a list of some of the highest paying jobs in Arlington.

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary
1 Senior vice president $234,343 $121,000
2 Physician $198,674 $110,000
3 Chief executive officer $196,468 $102,000
4 Vice president $195,528 $109,000
5 Optometrist $186,505 $101,000
6 Pharmacist $179,560 $97,000
7 Software developer $176,805 $88,000
8 Lawyer $174,870 $84,000
9 Financial advisor $167,870 $78,000

Major industries in Arlington, VA

As you are on the last leg of packing the bags to Arlington, it would be good to know the major businesses here. To help you, we’ve listed them out for you.

  • Aviation
  • Banking
  • Government services
  • IT
  • Finance

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Arlington, VA

Moving to Arlington, while you look for a job, your preference will be one that offers the utmost employee satisfaction along with a good salary. Fortunately, the city has many such companies. We’ve got a list of the 10 best companies to work for in Arlington.

Here’s our best company list.

  • Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
  • Promontory Financial Group
  • The AES
  • Air National Guard
  • Sands Capital Management
  • Technology Service
  • Decisive Analytics Corporation
  • Bright Services
  • Conrad
  • Health Central

What's the average salary & income in Arlington, VA?

Arlington’s strong economy is a major reason for people relocating here. Though the living costs are extremely high, your salaries will also be much higher than the rest of the state. The salary is greatly based on many factors including experience, skill, type of industry, and your profile. Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in Arlington:

Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in Arlington.

  • Average annual pay for average jobs: $128,145
  • Average hourly pay for average jobs: $42.10
  • Average weekly pay for average jobs: $22,030
  • Average monthly pay for average jobs: $9,100
  • Top earners (90th percentile) make: $212,000 annually

How is the housing market in Arlington, Virginia?

Arlington is one of the expensive cities in Virginia and so is the housing cost. You should be ready to shell out approximately $750,500 to own a decent house in the city, which is much higher than most Virginia cities. Home appreciation in the last 10 years in Arlington has been 51.9% and about 50.8% of the residents own a house.

We’ve got the latest city housing facts for you.

  • Arlington’s median home cost is $750,500.
  • The median age of Arlington’s real estate is 46 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 51.9%.
  • Renters make up 49.2% of the Arlington population.
  • About 2.5% of houses and apartments in Arlington are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Arlington, VA

Just as the home costs, the average rentals are also extremely high in the city. And it is expected to further shoot up in the coming years. After reaching the city, your initial days may be in rented homes and you should be ready to spend a good amount to stay in a decent home. We’ve got the average home rental in Arlington and maybe the details will help you.

  • Arlington’s average rent for a studio apartment is $2,020
  • Arlington’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $2,060
  • Arlington’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $2,340
  • Arlington’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $2,390
  • Arlington’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $3,490

What are taxes like in Arlington, VA?

Arlington is highly expensive but the average salaries offered by companies in the city are also much higher than any city in Virginia State. However, you need to know that your take-home salary is greatly based on the tax the state levies on you. Higher taxes impact the take-home amount and it is good to know the common taxes levied in Arlington to analyze the exact amount you will take home.

Here are a few tax-related facts in Arlington.

  • The sales tax rate for Arlington is 6.0%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The income tax rate for Arlington is 5.8%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Arlington is 0.75%
things to do

What are the best things to do in Arlington, VA?

Arlington is splendid and also boasts of rich history which contributes to some of the amazing landmarks that deserve spending time at. Moving to Arlington, you will get time to explore some of the precious gems of American history along with scenic natural locations, and can also take a trip to Washington DC and surrounding areas on a weekend or a holiday.

We’ve got a list of the 10 best things to do in Arlington.

  • Visit Arlington National Cemetery
  • Walk through Arlington Memorial Bridge
  • Make a trip to the Pentagon
  • Learn history at Theodore Roosevelt Island Park
  • Walk through Mount Vernon Trail
  • Explore the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Hemicycle
  • Visit the DEA Museum
  • Let the child celebrate at Ocean Dunes WaterPark
  • Spend time at Gravelly Point Park
  • Check out the Arlington Farmers Market

How safe is Arlington, VA?

One of the best things about living in Arlington is safety. The crime rate is 21.2, much lower than the US average. The city is safer than 19% of the US cities and about 67% of the residents claim the city is pretty safe to live in.

To help you know the crime stats in Arlington, we’ve got a few facts.

  • The violent crime rate in Arlington is 21.3 while the US average is 22.7.
  • The city’s property crime is 43.9 while the US average is 35.4.
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim here is 1 in 386.
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 52 in Arlington.
  • About 67% of the city population feels safe in the city.

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Best Schools & Universities in Arlington, VA

One of the big positives of moving to Arlington is the quality of education. The city is home to some of the best schools in the state, and relocating to the city with children will make it easy to find a great school in your neighborhood. To help you, we’ve prepared a list of top educational institutions with their rankings.

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