What it actually costs to live in
Arlington County, VA.
Living wage breakdown for Arlington County, Virginia — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $21.81 | $45,370 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $32.85 | $68,332 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $43.12 | $89,693 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $53.18 | $110,624 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $28.01 | $58,258 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $39.43 | $82,022 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $49.37 | $102,686 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $59.09 | $122,909 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $17,367 | $1,447 |
| Food | $4,959 | $413 |
| Medical | $3,836 | $320 |
| Transportation | $5,736 | $478 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,344 | $195 |
| Personal & Misc | $2,961 | $247 |
| Taxes | $8,167 | $681 |
| Total | $45,370 | $3,781 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$21.81/hr
Minimum wage$12.41/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Arlington County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.