How Much House Can You Afford in Arlington, VA in 2026?

‍Last updated: September 2026

If you're wondering how much house you can afford in Arlington, VA this year, plan on needing a household income somewhere around $250,000 to $260,000 to comfortably afford a typical home here. That's assuming a 10% down payment at today's mortgage rates. Below, we'll walk through how that number breaks down, what changes if you put more or less money down, and how Arlington affordability stacks up against the rest of Northern Virginia.

Quick Answer: Arlington Affordability at a Glance

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Keep in mind these are estimates based on current market conditions. Talk to a licensed lender before making any real decisions with your money.

How Much Income Do You Need to Buy a House in Arlington?

Most lenders lean on the 28/36 rule: your monthly housing payment shouldn't eat up more than 28% of your gross monthly income, and your total debt payments (housing plus everything else) shouldn't go past 36%.

Run that math against Arlington's current median price of about $818,000 with 10% down and a 6.66% rate, and you land on a monthly payment near $5,900. That works out to a required income of roughly $255,000 a year. If you're carrying other debt, like student loans or a car payment, you'll probably need to look at homes closer to $650,000 to $700,000 to keep things reasonable.

That's a big part of why so many Arlington buyers are dual income households, senior government employees, or people working in defense, tech, or federal law. Prices have kept climbing, mortgage rates have stayed stubbornly in the mid 6% range through most of 2026, and together those two things just take more income than they used to.

Arlington Home Affordability by Down Payment

How much you put down changes the math quite a bit. Here's what an $818,000 home looks like at three different down payment levels:

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Monthly payment includes principal, interest, property tax, homeowners insurance, and PMI where it applies. Your actual numbers will depend on your credit score, loan type, and lender.

The big jump happens at 20% down. Once you clear that threshold, you drop private mortgage insurance entirely, and the required income falls by around $56,000 a year compared to putting just 3% down on the same home.

What Else Does It Cost to Own a Home in Arlington?

The mortgage payment is only part of the picture when you're budgeting for a home in Arlington, VA. It's worth planning for a few other regular costs too.

Property taxes in Arlington run $1.053 per $100 of assessed value for FY2027, a rate the County Board approved on April 22, 2026 (a two cent increase from the year before). On a typically priced home, that comes out to somewhere between $8,600 and $9,000 a year, though your actual bill depends on your specific assessment.

HOA and condo fees are common in Arlington, especially in buildings around Rosslyn, Ballston, and Crystal City. Expect somewhere in the $300 to $700 a month range.

Homeowners insurance usually runs $1,200 to $1,800 a year for a single family home, though this varies a lot by insurer and how much coverage you carry.

Closing costs in Virginia typically land between 2% and 5% of the purchase price, split between buyer and seller based on how the deal is negotiated.

How Arlington Compares to the Rest of Northern Virginia

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Home prices come from Redfin's trailing 3 month sale price data for Arlington and Fairfax counties, NVAR's June 2026 sold price data for Loudoun County, and Zillow's Home Value Index for Falls Church and Alexandria. Tax rates come directly from each locality's official government website, linked in the sources below.

One thing worth noting: Loudoun County's prices have crept up to nearly match Arlington's this year, which wasn't really the case a few years ago. Even so, Loudoun keeps the lowest tax rate in the region by a wide margin. Right now, Alexandria and Falls Church offer the most affordable entry points among the core Northern Virginia jurisdictions, though both come with higher tax rates than Arlington.

Ways to Stretch Your Buying Power in Arlington

Get fully pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. A full underwriting pre-approval makes your offer stronger in a market where homes are selling in about 27 days on average, and it gives you a realistic budget before you start touring places.

Look into Virginia Housing's down payment assistance programs. They offer help with down payments and closing costs for eligible first time buyers, which can matter a lot given how high Arlington's price point is.

Consider a condo or townhome near a Metro corridor. Ballston, Courthouse, Pentagon City, and the Columbia Pike area all offer lower entry prices than single family homes while keeping you close to the Metro access that makes Arlington appealing in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do I need to make to buy a house in Arlington, VA?

Most buyers need a gross household income of about $255,000 to comfortably afford a home in Arlington, VA with 10% down. That's based on the current median sale price of around $818,000 and 30 year mortgage rates near 6.66%, as of late August 2026.

What is the average home price in Arlington, VA right now?

As of mid-2026, the median sale price in Arlington County is around $818,000, according to Redfin's trailing three month data. That number moves a lot depending on property type and neighborhood. Condos near Metro stations often start well below that figure, while single family homes in North Arlington frequently top $1.3 million.

Is Arlington, VA affordable compared to Washington, DC?

Arlington is generally more affordable than Washington, DC's priciest neighborhoods, but pricier than most of Northern Virginia's outer suburbs. It sits at the higher end of the region because of its Metro access, walkability, and closeness to the Pentagon and downtown DC, though 2026 data shows Loudoun County has closed most of that price gap.

How much is property tax in Arlington, VA?

Arlington's real estate tax rate is $1.053 per $100 of assessed value for FY2027, approved by the County Board back in April 2026. For a typical home in the county, that usually adds up to somewhere in the $8,600 to $9,000 range per year, though it comes down to your property's individual assessment.

What credit score do I need to buy a house in Arlington?

Conventional loans typically need a minimum score of 620, but buyers with scores of 740 or above usually get the best rates available. Given how much homes cost in Arlington, even a small improvement in your credit score can make a real difference in your monthly payment.

Can I afford a house in Arlington with a $150,000 salary?

A $150,000 salary on its own typically isn't enough for a median priced single family home in Arlington, but it can work for a condo, a smaller townhome, or a home in a nearby city like Alexandria or Falls Church, where prices currently run lower. Most single family home buyers in Arlington are dual income households at today's price levels.

Which Northern Virginia locality has the lowest property taxes?

Loudoun County has the lowest real estate tax rate among the core Northern Virginia jurisdictions at $0.805 per $100 of assessed value. For comparison, Arlington sits at $1.053, Fairfax County at $1.1225, Alexandria at $1.135, and Falls Church at $1.185.

This guide reflects market data as of late August and early September 2026. It's meant for general information, not financial or lending advice. Prices, rates, and tax figures change often, so talk to a licensed lender and a local agent for numbers specific to your situation.

Sources: Arlington County Government, City of Alexandria, Fairfax County Government, Loudoun County Government, City of Falls Church, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, Redfin, Zillow Home Value Index.

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