Real Estate Investing in Arlington, Virginia (22209)

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

Arlington County • Population: 13,725 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 22209 (Arlington, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (35/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 12.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.6% CAGR).

What’s happening in Arlington, VA (22209)?

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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 $729,517
Avg Monthly Rent $2,804
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $112,550
% Renters 67.8%

Market Analysis: 22209 Arlington

Meanwhile, ZIP 22209 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $730K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $2,804/mo on a $730K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 22209 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 22209's metrics run below Arlington County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 22209 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Arlington averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 22209 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 49/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,804/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 22209

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+2.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$409,442/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $442,023 $2,470 4.0% +0.9% $442,023
2BR $818,883 $2,750 2.4% +1.0% $409,442
3BR $1,391,262 $3,470 1.8% +2.6% $463,754

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$747K$700K$652K$604K$556K$508KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,910$2,751$2,592$2,433$2,273$2,114Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 22209 Compare?

Metric 22209 Arlington Virginia
Home Value $729,517 $739,441 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 0.6% 1.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,804 $2,997 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 22209? Click to expand

68% 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 22209 (Arlington, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $729,517
Monthly Rent $2,804
Price-to-Rent 21.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 3.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
12.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 22209

Population: 13,725

💰 Median Household Income
$112,550
This area
$112,550
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
67.8%
This area
67.8%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
83.5%
This area
83.5%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.4 years
This area
33.4 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.0%
This area
12.0%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.1%
Other/Mixed 15.2%
Asian 15.0%
Hispanic/Latino 10.9%
Black/African American 5.9%
👶 Under 18
8.2%
This area
8.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.5%
This area
12.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 22209

C+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
$27,865 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$27,865 Per Student
C+ Average

HB Woodlawn Secondary Program

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$27,865 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

MacArthur HS

📚 09 – 10 High School
📍 4530 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington
👥
238 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Arlington Science Focus School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1501 Lincoln Street, Arlington
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,865 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hardy MS

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1819 35th St. NW, Washington
👥
602 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hyde-Addison ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3219 O St. NW, Washington
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Innovation Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2300 Key Blvd, Arlington
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 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
C
University of Management and Technology
1,167 students · 0.2 mi
D
Strayer University-Virginia
2,382 students · 0.7 mi
B+
Georgetown University
20,392 students · 1.0 mi
C
National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts
25 students · 1.2 mi
B
George Washington University
25,568 students · 1.4 mi
C
The Chicago School at Washington DC
615 students · 2.2 mi
D
Strayer University-Global Region
12,782 students · 2.2 mi
F
Strayer University-District of Columbia
353 students · 2.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Arlington, VA?

Rent in Arlington, VA is around $2,804/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $730K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Arlington, VA?

VA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Arlington inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is real estate in Arlington, VA a good investment right now?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Arlington, VA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $730K and rents of $2,804/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Arlington, VA?

Occupancy in Arlington, VA runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,804/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the tenant pool like in Arlington, VA?

The renter base in Arlington, VA is reasonable for the $2,804/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

You know 22209 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 22209 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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