Real Estate Investing in Arlington, Virginia (22202)

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

Arlington County • Population: 27,352 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 22202 (Arlington, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.7% CAGR).

What’s happening in Arlington, VA (22202)?

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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 $749,747
Avg Monthly Rent $2,700
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $137,736
% Renters 78.3%

Market Analysis: 22202 Arlington

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Arlington's 22202 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $750K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 22202 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $750K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 22202 sits on the difficult end of the VA spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Who lives in 22202 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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
Expensive
Homes cost 5.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,700/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 22202

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$301,108/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $364,946 $3,020 6.0% +0.9% $364,946
2BR $635,615 $3,370 3.8% +0.4% $317,807
3BR $992,135 $4,250 3.1% +3.3% $330,712
4BR $1,244,273 $5,000 2.9% +4.2% $311,068
5BR $1,505,541 +4.7% $301,108

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$794K$728K$662K$596K$530K$464KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,817$2,630$2,442$2,254$2,067$1,879Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 22202 Compare?

Metric 22202 Arlington Virginia
Home Value $749,747 $739,441 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 0.7% 1.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,700 $2,997 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 22202? Click to expand

78% 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 22202 (Arlington, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $749,747
Monthly Rent $2,700
Price-to-Rent 23.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 3.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +1.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 22202

Population: 27,352

💰 Median Household Income
$137,736
This area
$137,736
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
78.3%
This area
78.3%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
84.2%
This area
84.2%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.4 years
This area
35.4 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 58.5%
Asian 14.7%
Black/African American 13.5%
Other/Mixed 13.3%
Hispanic/Latino 7.6%
👶 Under 18
10.1%
This area
10.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
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 22202

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$27,865 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Oakridge Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
644 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Amidon-Bowen ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 401 I St. SW, Washington
👥
365 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ballou HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 3401 4th St. SE, Washington
👥
585 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 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

Bard HS Early College DC (Bard DC)

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 1351 Alabama Ave SE, Washington
👥
369 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 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
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
C
DeVry University-Virginia
32 students · 0.3 mi
B
George Washington University
25,568 students · 2.9 mi
D
Strayer University-Virginia
2,382 students · 3.0 mi
C
University of Management and Technology
1,167 students · 3.0 mi
C+
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
593 students · 3.2 mi
C
The Chicago School at Washington DC
615 students · 3.2 mi
C
NewU University
34 students · 3.4 mi
D
Career Technical Institute
383 students · 3.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington, VA a smart market for rental property?

Arlington, VA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $750K and rents near $2,700/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What approach is best for Arlington, VA real estate?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Arlington, VA best. The market produces stable results for that approach at the $750K price point.

What price range are homes in Arlington, VA?

Arlington, VA home values average about $750K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,700/mo in monthly income.

Is house hacking profitable in Arlington, VA?

Arlington, VA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $750K price point reasonable to enter.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Arlington, VA?

Arlington, VA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader VA rental market.

You know 22202 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 22202 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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