Cost of Living in Arlington, VA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,388 (excluding rent), and $3,579 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,408 (excluding rent), and $7,182 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.54 $24.54

$15.02 $15.02

$40.06 $40.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$59 $59

$138 $138

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.84 $11.84

$9.86 $9.86

$12.81 $12.81

Cappuccino

$5.41 $5.41

$2.66 $2.66

$7.78 $7.78

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.01 $2.01

$4.02 $4.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.5 $2.5

$1.46 $1.46

$2.91 $2.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.02 $8.02

$4.01 $4.01

$10.02 $10.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.82 $8.82

$4.9 $4.9

$11.76 $11.76

Milk (1 liter)

$1.24 $1.24

$0.69 $0.69

$1.87 $1.87

White Bread (500g)

$4.1 $4.1

$1.61 $1.61

$5.41 $5.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.81 $6.81

$2.57 $2.57

$10.8 $10.8

Eggs

$4.32 $4.32

$2.28 $2.28

$6.96 $6.96

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.79 $17.79

$8.44 $8.44

$33.4 $33.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.75 $14.75

$5.84 $5.84

$17.3 $17.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.38 $21.38

$11.06 $11.06

$33.19 $33.19

Apples (1kg)

$6.26 $6.26

$2.23 $2.23

$8.93 $8.93

Banana (1kg)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.09 $1.09

$5.31 $5.31

Oranges (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$1.66 $1.66

$8.86 $8.86

Tomato (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$1.92 $1.92

$8.64 $8.64

Potato (1kg)

$3.44 $3.44

$0.65 $0.65

$6.49 $6.49

Onion (1kg)

$3.39 $3.39

$1.81 $1.81

$4.53 $4.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.65 $2.65

$1.99 $1.99

$3.1 $3.1

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$0.98 $0.98

$2.93 $2.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.3 $12.3

$7.11 $7.11

$15.74 $15.74

Wine (Bottle)

$17.17 $17.17

$10.09 $10.09

$25.25 $25.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.77 $1.77

$2.92 $2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.29 $4.29

$2.06 $2.06

$5.66 $5.66

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.43 $3.43

$2.45 $2.45

$4.41 $4.41

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$125 $125

$68.9 $68.9

$175 $175

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.02 $3.02

$2.01 $2.01

$4.52 $4.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

$3.19 $3.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.75 $21.75

$31.64 $31.64

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.78 $0.78

$1.07 $1.07

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.6K $29.6K

$22.7K $22.7K

$35.2K $35.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26K $26K

$24K $24K

$26.9K $26.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$205 $205

$83.4 $83.4

$303 $303

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$59.8 $59.8

$25.04 $25.04

$90.2 $90.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.9 $69.9

$39.29 $39.29

$93.3 $93.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.7 $76.7

$29.77 $29.77

$99.2 $99.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.96 $23.96

$10.09 $10.09

$30.27 $30.27

Cinema Ticket

$14.84 $14.84

$19.79 $19.79

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,074 $2,074

$1,591 $1,591

$2,487 $2,487

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$29.4K $29.4K

$42.4K $42.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.9 $55.9

$29.78 $29.78

$99.3 $99.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.48 $49.48

$24.63 $24.63

$73.9 $73.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.6 $92.6

$59.1 $59.1

$123 $123

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$141 $141

$49.27 $49.27

$246 $246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,473 $2,473

$2,099 $2,099

$2,998 $2,998

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,930 $1,930

$1,608 $1,608

$2,312 $2,312

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,350 $4,350

$3,500 $3,500

$5,000 $5,000

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,575 $3,575

$3,030 $3,030

$5,554 $5,554

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,644 $4,644

$3,400 $3,400

$7,678 $7,678

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,073 $4,073

$3,402 $3,402

$6,584 $6,584

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,454 $6,454

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 28, 2025

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Arlington, VA - Frequently Asked Questions

In terms of cost, Cost of Living in Arlington, VA, United States sits higher than many U.S. areas, driven by housing and proximity to Washington, DC. The upside is reliable services, safety, and excellent transit, which can save time and commuting costs. The value shows up in walkable neighborhoods, plentiful coworking spaces, and diverse dining that reduces long trips for essentials. You’ll find a mix of compact apartments, townhomes, and shared spaces; prices shift by neighborhood, not by street, so choose areas slightly outside the core or near transit to balance rent with convenience. Tip: plan a month around your commute and leisure needs.

Daily life here centers on accessibility and practicality. Housing options range from compact apartments near Rosslyn or Clarendon to quieter townhomes farther out, with rent and space aligning with proximity to transit. Food scene blends fast-casual and farmers markets, plus a mix of international groceries. Transport leans on the Metro and buses; bikes and car-sharing fill gaps for weekend trips. Coworking spaces and cafes are common near transit hubs, making it easy to work remotely. To search housing, start with transit-centered neighborhoods and schedule visits during weekday evenings. Arlington, VA, United States living cost remains a factor, so plan a buffer for deposits and utilities. Tip: Build a buffer for deposits and utility setup.

A high quality of life comes from fitting Arlington's neighborhoods to your rhythm. If you crave active evenings and diverse dining, focus on Clarendon, Ballston, or Rosslyn; for a family-friendly or quieter pace, explore Shirlington or areas near the Potomac. Budget wise, prioritize a place near rail or bus hubs to minimize car costs and maximize flexibility with co-working spots and social pursuits. Seasonality shapes activities and costs – hot summers bring outdoor fairs and bike days, while winter days favor indoor options and energy use. Tip: spend a weekend wandering multiple neighborhoods at different times to test fit and gauge daily rhythms.