CountyScore

Arlington County

Virginia · VA

#130 in Virginia
57.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington meets national livability baseline

Arlington's composite score of 49.3 nearly matches the national median of 50.0, indicating average overall livability by U.S. standards. However, this average masks the region's highly polarized cost-income profile.

Below Virginia's county averages

At 49.3, Arlington trails Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking among the Commonwealth's lower-scoring jurisdictions. The gap reflects Northern Virginia's premium metropolitan real estate market.

Exceptional incomes drive the economy

Arlington supports an exceptional median household income of $140,160 (income score: 74.9) with a reasonable tax burden (tax score: 77.0, effective rate 0.899%). These strong earnings are essential to sustain the county's premium market.

Housing costs severely restrict affordability

The cost score of 22.2 reflects median home values of $864,800 and monthly rents of $2,275—among the nation's highest. This extreme cost burden dominates the livability picture and makes housing inaccessible to most Americans.

Exclusively for top earners and professionals

Arlington suits only the highest-earning professionals and executives working in the D.C. metro area who can sustain six-figure housing costs. The county's exceptional incomes are not luxury—they are necessity for sustainable residency.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax77Cost22.2SafetyComing SoonHealth85.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome74.9Risk33.2WaterComing Soon
🏛77
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠22.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼74.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡33.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Arlington County with another county →

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Multnomah County
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Midland County
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Deep Dives

Arlington County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Arlington County

via TaxByCounty

Arlington ranks among America's highest-taxed jurisdictions

At 0.899%, Arlington County's effective property tax rate ranks in the top 3% of all U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 0.71%. The median annual tax of $7,774 is nearly 3 times the national median of $2,690, driven by premium property values averaging $864,800.

Arlington leads Virginia in total property tax bills

At 0.899%, Arlington's effective rate is 34% above Virginia's state average of 0.671%, ranking second statewide after Alexandria. The median tax of $7,774 is nearly 4 times the state median of $1,960, reflecting the region's ultra-premium real estate market.

Arlington's taxes rival Northern Virginia's highest burdens

Only Alexandria (0.987%) carries a higher tax rate than Arlington's 0.899%, though Arlington's higher property values ($864,800 median) mean residents often pay the largest absolute bills in the region. Both counties exemplify Northern Virginia's premium tax-and-service model.

The typical Arlington home generates over $7,700 annually

A median-value home at $864,800 generates approximately $7,774 in annual property taxes at Arlington's 0.899% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $7,684, while those without mortgages pay $7,978.

Arlington homeowners should challenge inflated assessments

With homes assessed near $865,000, even a 3% overassessment means over $230 in unnecessary annual taxes. Arlington's assessment appeal process is available to homeowners who believe their properties are valued above fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Arlington County

via CostByCounty

Arlington's premium justified by top incomes

Arlington residents spend 19.5% of household income on housing, just slightly above the national average of 18.6%, despite owning costs of $2,893 monthly. With a median household income of $140,160—88% above the U.S. median—Arlington's very affluent residents absorb premium prices.

Virginia's most expensive housing market

Arlington's median home value of $864,800 ranks as Virginia's highest, and its owner costs of $2,893 monthly exceed all other surveyed counties. Yet the rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% stays just above the state average of 18.6%, thanks to extraordinary incomes.

Slightly cheaper than nearby Alexandria overall

Arlington's $2,893 monthly owner costs exceed Alexandria's $2,635, while Alexandria's $2,031 rent tops Arlington's implied rental market. Arlington's $864,800 median home value slightly edges Alexandria's $696,800, reflecting the county's extreme desirability.

Housing-income ratio tells Arlington's real story

With owner costs at $2,893 monthly on a median household income of $140,160, Arlington's 19.5% housing burden stays remarkably low despite the nation's highest absolute costs. This is a county where housing affordability improves as incomes rise.

Arlington for six-figure earners seeking premium

If your household income exceeds $140,000 and you prioritize walkability, transit access, and proximity to D.C., Arlington's premium costs remain manageable. For middle-income earners, this county's housing costs will strain budgets despite strong incomes compared to the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Arlington County

via IncomeByCounty

Arlington ranks among America's wealthiest counties

Arlington County's median household income of $140,160 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about 88%, placing the county in the very top income tier across the United States. Households here earn roughly $65,405 more annually than the typical American family.

Virginia's wealthiest county by income

Arlington ranks as the highest-income county in Virginia, with median household income 87% above the state average of $74,957. The county's per capita income of $88,024 is 125% higher than Virginia's state average of $39,155.

Arlington leads the D.C. region income hierarchy

Arlington's $140,160 median income substantially exceeds nearby Alexandria ($113,638) and other Northern Virginia counties. This supremacy reflects Arlington's concentration of federal workers, defense contractors, and highly-paid professionals drawn to the Washington metro area.

High income is essential for expensive housing

Arlington's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% shows housing still claims nearly one-fifth of income, despite premium earnings. The median home value of $864,800 is among the nation's highest, requiring Arlington's substantial incomes to remain affordable.

Maximize wealth-building strategies for high earners

Arlington's elite incomes position households to maximize retirement contributions (401k, backdoor Roth), build diversified investment portfolios, and create generational wealth. Partnering with a sophisticated financial advisor on tax optimization and estate planning can preserve and multiply your income advantage significantly.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Arlington County

via HealthByCounty

Arlington leads U.S. on longevity

Arlington County residents live to 83.9 years—4.6 years above the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Only 12.6% report poor or fair health, well below the 17% national rate, placing Arlington among America's healthiest counties.

Virginia's healthiest jurisdiction

At 83.9 years, Arlington boasts the highest life expectancy of any Virginia county profiled here, exceeding the state average of 75.1 years by 8.8 years. The county's 12.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among Virginia's lowest, reflecting exceptional population health.

Arlington sets regional health gold standard

Arlington residents live nearly a year longer than those in nearby Alexandria (82.2 years) and substantially longer than rural Virginia peers. The county's 288 mental health providers per 100K surpasses all comparable regions, supporting comprehensive behavioral health care.

Strong infrastructure enables health equity

Arlington offers 77 primary care providers and 288 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, delivering robust urban healthcare access. At 4.8%, Arlington has Virginia's lowest uninsured rate, ensuring nearly all residents have insurance pathways to care.

Maintain comprehensive health coverage

Even in well-insured Arlington, verify your coverage remains current and adequate. Visit healthcare.gov or arlingtonva.us for annual reviews and to explore supplemental plans that enhance your family's health security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Arlington County

via RiskByCounty

Arlington's moderate risk exceeds state norm

Arlington County's composite risk score of 66.79 rates as relatively low but remains double Virginia's state average of 33.27. The dense urban jurisdiction faces notable flood (73.79), hurricane (80.43), and earthquake (73.03) exposures.

Urban center with above-average exposure

Arlington ranks in Virginia's upper-middle risk tier with a score of 66.79, reflecting its position as a major metropolitan area with riverfront vulnerability. The county's urban density and infrastructure concentration compound natural hazard impacts.

More exposed than rural counties, safer than Alexandria

Arlington's 66.79 score sits below Alexandria City (73.70) and well above rural piedmont counties like Amelia (11.96). The county's Potomac River location creates shared water hazards with Alexandria but on a slightly smaller scale.

Flooding and hurricanes are primary concerns

Arlington's hurricane risk (80.43) and flood risk (73.79) represent the county's main hazards, driven by tidal Potomac River exposure and urban infrastructure concentration. Earthquake risk (73.03) also warrants attention for older building stock.

Flood insurance and structural retrofits advised

Flood insurance is essential for properties near the Potomac River and in flood-prone areas, and consider seismic retrofits for older residential buildings. Verify your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind and water damage coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.