Real Estate Investing in Arlington, Virginia (22201)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Arlington County • Population: 38,419 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 22201 (Arlington, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (47/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.8% CAGR).

What’s happening in Arlington, VA (22201)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $700,442
Avg Monthly Rent $2,883
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $140,453
% Renters 68.9%

Market Analysis: 22201 Arlington

ZIP 22201 in Arlington, VA carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $700K and rents of $2,883/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 22201 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Statewide comparisons place 22201 among VA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

From an investor standpoint, 38,419 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The right play in 22201 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Arlington:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,883/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 22201

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$333,748/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $404,924 $3,020 5.4% +0.4% $404,924
2BR $667,495 $3,370 3.6% +0.7% $333,748
3BR $1,157,798 $4,250 2.6% +3.2% $385,933
4BR $1,464,724 $5,000 2.5% +3.8% $366,181
5BR $2,075,372 +4.5% $415,074

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$724K$673K$622K$571K$520K$469KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,950$2,755$2,560$2,365$2,171$1,976Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 22201 Compare?

Metric 22201 Arlington Virginia
Home Value $700,442 $739,441 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 0.8% 1.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,883 $2,997 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 22201? Click to expand

69% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 22201 (Arlington, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $700,442
Monthly Rent $2,883
Price-to-Rent 20.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 4.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
7.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.8%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 22201

Population: 38,419

💰 Median Household Income
$140,453
This area
$140,453
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
68.9%
This area
68.9%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
85.6%
This area
85.6%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
31.3 years
This area
31.3 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.7%
Other/Mixed 12.3%
Asian 11.3%
Hispanic/Latino 9.0%
Black/African American 3.7%
👶 Under 18
13.0%
This area
13.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
7.1%
This area
7.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 22201

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$27,865 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Arlington Science Focus School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Innovation Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Long Branch Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
423 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Washington-Liberty High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,900 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Ashlawn Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 5950 N. 8th Road, Arlington
👥
529 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Barcroft Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 625 S Wakefield St, Arlington
👥
474 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Barrett Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4401 N Henderson Rd, Arlington
👥
519 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Campbell Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 737 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Carlin Springs Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 5995 South 5th Road, Arlington
👥
547 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
D
Strayer University-Virginia
2,382 students · 0.6 mi
D
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington
211 students · 1.0 mi
C
University of Management and Technology
1,167 students · 1.4 mi
B+
Georgetown University
20,392 students · 1.9 mi
C
Marymount University
3,667 students · 2.2 mi
C
National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts
25 students · 2.3 mi
B
George Washington University
25,568 students · 2.7 mi
C
DeVry University-Virginia
32 students · 3.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Arlington, VA?

Homes in Arlington, VA typically sell near $700K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which stable long-term demand.

How tight is the rental market in Arlington, VA?

Rental vacancy in Arlington, VA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Are renters plentiful in Arlington, VA?

Arlington, VA offers a reliable renter base at the $2,883/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Arlington, VA?

For rental operators, Arlington, VA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Is Arlington, VA good for house hacking?

For house hackers, Arlington, VA is a challenging. The $2,883/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $700K property.

You know 22201 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 22201 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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