Living in Arlington, VA: 16 Things To Know About Crystal City

Wondering what it’s like living in Arlington, VA? Sure, the Northern Virginia city is mostly known for its ties to American history. It’s home to the Pentagon and the Arlington National Cemetery, for example. But there’s so much more that makes the area appealing. Want a trendy coffee shop to make your new go-to? Try Kaldi’s Social House. Love spending time outdoors? Windy Run and Alcova Heights are can’t-miss parks. Oh, and there’s the fact that Arlington has a direct link to D.C. But this is just a taste of what the city has to offer. Let’s take a look at all of the main things we think you should know before making the big move.

Living in Arlington at a Glance:

• Located on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, Arlington is only about a 15-minute drive away from the nation’s capital.
• Arlington is a little less than 26 square miles.
• With around 236,000 residents, Arlington is the fourth most-populated city in the state of Virginia.
• The median age in Arlington is 35.3.

Living in Arlington, VA — FAQs

Q: Is Arlington, VA, a good place to live?
A: Arlington, VA, is a great place to live — especially for young professionals and creatives. The city has a rich arts and culture scene, and you can easily find many different programs and clubs to join throughout the city. Not to mention, it’s only about 15 minutes away from Washington, D.C.

Q: How much do you need to make to live in Arlington, Virginia?
A: According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, you’ll need to make at least $59,000 a year before taxes as a single adult without kids to live comfortably in Arlington. It’s by no means a cheap place to live, as it has prime real estate close to the nation’s capital.

Q: Why move to Arlington, Virginia?
A: Connected to Washington, D.C., and close to many historic monuments and museums, Arlington is a great place to move to if you enjoy being on the go and experiencing a lively setting centered around rich culture and art.

Q: Is it expensive to live in Arlington?
A: Yes, it is expensive to live in Arlington, Virginia. However, the area has a booming job market, and the average pay is $31/hour — significantly higher than other places throughout the nation.

1. Cost of Living in Arlington, VA 

The cost of living in Arlington, VA, is 37 percent higher than the state average and the national average. When comparing the cost of living in D.C. vs. Arlington, though, the nation’s capital is more expensive overall: it’s 47 percent higher than the national average.

However, sometimes it all depends on where you look, as rent and home values fluctuate throughout both areas. For example, on average, you can get a one-bedroom apartment in Washington, D.C., for around $2,400 per month, while a one-bedroom apartment in Arlington will cost around $2,550 each month.

But when you move to a new place, the most important factor is being able to live comfortably. Check out these quick numbers below from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, so you can get a rough idea of what you would need to make for affordable living in Arlington, VA:

• If you are single without children, your required annual income before taxes would need to be at least around $59,000.
• If you’re a couple without children who are both working, your required annual income before taxes would need to be at least around $75,000.
• If you’re a family of four with two working adults, your required annual income before taxes would need to be at least around $159,000.

2. Pros and Cons of Living in Arlington, VA

Just like any place, there are always going to be pros and cons to living there — it’s just up to you which ones outweigh others. Here are a few pros and cons you can expect when living in Arlington:

Pro: The Location

Arlington is in a prime spot: It’s only about a 15-minute drive to Washington, D.C. You don’t have to have a car to get to D.C. from Arlington, though, as there are several additional ways to get there, as well. There’s the Metrorail, for example, the D.C. area’s regional buses with multiple routes in Arlington, as well as the Arlington Memorial Bridge, which is the main connector between the city and D.C.

Pro: Fun Activities and Greenery

Arlington is a great extension of the Washington, D.C., history and limelight. There are plenty of things to explore and learn about when you’re in town. And staying active? It’s second nature to the Arlington residents. EventBrite has an ever-updating list of fun,  local events, for example, that you can check out if you’re in the mood to socialize. If you're more of a quiet, low-key kind of person, then one of Arlington’s many parks might be your new go-to. And with a fitness and aquatic center, as well as football, lacrosse, and soccer fields, Long Bridge Park is perfect for any sports lover.

Pro: Walkable Neighborhoods

Con: High Cost of Living

Since Arlington, VA, is in such a prime spot, your monthly costs can get mighty, well, costly. For instance, the cost for food in Arlington is 15 percent higher than the state average. And the transportation costs to go to and from work? Those are eight percent higher than the state average. Not to mention housing costs are a whopping 115 percent higher than the national average!

Con: Tough Real Estate Market

Buying a home is tough, but in Arlington, it can be even harder. Things can get pretty competitive — most homes average three offers and sell in about 25 days. This means that the house you were looking at is likely on the radar of lots of other buyers, as well. Act fast!

Con: Traffic

There’s a lot of traffic in Arlington. And we don’t just mean car traffic. Since it’s a smaller city, you can expect to see people walking and riding bikes while you’re out and about, as well. Needless to say, traffic can become a bit of a nightmare — especially on the weekends when everyone wants to go out.

3. Arlington Housing Market

Arlington’s housing costs are 115 percent higher than the national average, but what number does that translate to exactly? The average home value for an Arlington home is around $806,300. And interestingly, the average home value for a Washington, D.C., home is much lower — around $622,000.

In Arlington, you’ll find a variety of home styles to suit your needs. Colonial-style homes are very popular, but you’ll also find bungalows, Craftsman, and even Cape Cods in the Arlington area, too.

5. Best Places To Live in Arlington

When you’re thinking about moving to Virginia — or more specifically Arlington — you’ll probably start to look into the area’s neighborhoods to see which is the best fit for you. Here are a few neighborhoods that have all received an A+ rating from Niche.com:

Colonial Village

Colonial Village is a great spot for young adults. Renting is popular here, and the area is known for its garden-style apartments. That and the fact that there are plenty of restaurants and shops, like Colony Grill, popular for its thin-crust pizzas. Pho 75 also has some of the best pho around, and you can’t beat Brooklyn Bagel for a taste of NYC in Arlington.

Another perk? The nearby Court House Metro stop is on the Orange and Silver lines that can get you anywhere you need to go in the area or into D.C.

Not surprisingly, Niche has ranked Colonial Village the #1 Best Neighborhood for Young Professionals in Arlington and the #1 Best Neighborhood To Live in Arlington!

Barcroft

Barcroft is a cute neighborhood with an overwhelmingly positive community feel. In fact, Niche ranked it as the seventh most diverse neighborhood in Arlington. It’s tucked away from the busier parts of the city, and seniors especially love being close to Alcova Heights Park, which offers lots of space to walk or relax on a park bench. Active residents also enjoy having easy access to the Four Mile Run Trail for scenic walking and biking along the picturesque Four Mile Run. 

Cherrydale

Cherrydale, ranked by Niche as the #5 Best Neighborhood To Raise a Family in Arlington, is conveniently connected to several bus routes that flow all throughout the area — it’s near the Five Points intersection and great schools. Most of the residents own their homes, and kids love playing in Cherry Valley Park, as well as exploring the Custis Trail in Hidden Pond.

Arlington Ridge

For the best affordable living in Arlington, VA, you might want to set your sights on Arlington Ridge. This neighborhood is pretty great for singles, families, and retirees alike, with schools, shops, and restaurants close by — including the Westpost at National Landing mall. All walks of life love how affordable the homes are for the area, as well as the fact that it’s safe and full of walkable, tree-lined streets. You can especially enjoy the slower pace of life offered here in the popular Fort Scott Park or James W. Haley Park.

6. Transportation

There are many means of moving around the city, as well as to and from Washington, D.C. Arlington Transit (ART), for example, connects the neighborhoods together, and it’s a good way to get to the Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express, which are also great transportation methods. 

But just how easy is it to get into D.C., and how long does it take? That depends on what method of transportation you’re using. Getting to D.C. from Arlington is quick and easy, if you’re driving, as it’s only about 10 to 15 minutes by car. It’s around 25 minutes, if you take the Metrorail. But by bus? It can be a bit of a trek, rounding out to be an hour or so.

7. Schools and Higher Education in Arlington

Arlington has a great selection of schools. For example, Arlington Traditional Elementary School, a magnet school with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, was ranked number one in Arlington County Public Schools Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report. Other fantastic Arlington-area schools include:

• Washington Liberty High School
• Dorothy Hamm Middle School
• BASIS Independent McLean
• The Madeira School

As for higher education, Arlington also has a good selection of schools with plenty of opportunities at George Mason University and Marymount University.

8. Arlington Sports

Arlington doesn’t have the sports presence that you’ll find in D.C., with the NFL’s Washington Commanders, the MLB’s Washington Nationals, and the NHL’s Washington Capitals. They do have one prominent league, though, the Arlington Soccer Association, which is an excellent place for youth to get outside, learn about teamwork, and play some soccer.

10. Crime in Arlington

The crime rate average in Arlington might be a bit tricky to follow. Overall, Arlington is only safer than 19 percent of U.S. neighborhoods, according to NeighborhoodScout. The chances of being a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 386, while the chances of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 52. However, compared to other cities of similar size, you’ll find that the crime is much lower than average.

12. Arlington’s Local Food Scene

Everyone loves food, right? Well, the restaurant scene in Arlington is certainly one to love. They’ve got a wide range of American, Mediterranean, and modern eateries to discover. Here’s our top 5:

• Green Pig Bistro is the spot for rustic French food with an American twist.
• Ambar Restaurant Clarendon is a unique spot with Balkan peninsula dishes to explore.
• Sfoglina Rosslyn is an Italian restaurant with a cool modern look.
• Rustico is for the pizza lovers! Prime toppings and ingredients come together for hot cheesy goodness.
• Mele Bistro has all the quality Mediterranean flavors you could ever want.

13. Arlington’s Local Culture Scene

Arlington has a super rich and vibrant culture. Known for their art community, you can find plenty of programs and artists that have made Arlington their home. With concerts (like free summer fun at Lubber Run Amphitheater), festivals (like the Festival of the Arts), and the Public Permanent Art Collection, you’ll find yourself enriched in what Arlington has to offer. And since Arlington is so close to Washington, D.C., you’ll get to be close to many great D.C. museums, as well.

• The National Gallery of Art is perfect for any art lover.
• The International Spy Museum is all about the art and subterfuge of espionage.
• The National Building Museum is for our architecture fans.
• The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the first museum dedicated to championing women throughout the arts.

14. Nightlife in Arlington

If you’re ready to go out and get your party on, then you’ll enjoy these prime spots both in and near Arlington:

• Spider Kelly’s is a large bar that’s a go-to spot for many. There are drinks, food, and games like pool and arcade favorites.
• The Board Room VA is a spot for all those who love board games. Choose from their extensive selection of games and have a drink with your pals.
• The Renegade VA is an upbeat restaurant with live music and salsa nights.

15. Theater in Arlington

Have a passion for theater and want to see what Arlington has in store? Check out Signature Theatre, the Tony Award-winning non-profit professional theater that showcases reinvented musicals and plays. You’ll also want to check out the Synetic Theater, which is Arlington’s home for physical theater like you’ve never experienced before. Of course, Washington, D.C., also has all kinds of options when it comes to theater, and when you live in Arlington, you’re just a stone’s throw away from all those performances!

16. Places To Visit in Arlington

You won’t find a shortage of activities in Arlington, that’s for sure. Here’s a small list of highlights to get you started while you’re in the city:

• Visit the Arlington House and the adjacent Arlington National Cemetery, where over 400,000 military vets are laid to rest. It’s also where President John F. Kennedy’s grave is, with the eternal flame flying high.
• Go to the Pentagon to see the building in person. It’s likely larger than you realize!
• Hike through the Mount Vernon Trail, an 18-mile stretch of green land and river that goes from George Washington’s Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island.
• Enjoy the beautiful outdoors at the Potomac Overlook Regional Park.

Make Your Move to Arlington a Flexible One with PODS

So you’ve got your research and you know the hotspots and the pros and cons. Now the time for deciding if you’re going to take the big step to move to Arlington is upon you. If you decide to make that big move, make it as easy as possible with PODS portable moving containers. Heavy lifting a worry? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services. And when you’re ready, PODS will pick up the container and either deliver it straight to your new home in Arlington or store your container at a secure PODS Storage Center for as long as you need. Basically, with PODS, you call the shots. After all, that’s what flexibility is all about.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.