Short answer: In Arlington, VA, the median home value is $945,700 and the median 3-bedroom rents for $3,306/mo (Census ACS 2024). That's a rent-to-price ratio of 0.35%, so it misses the 1% rule and would place #42 among the 50 largest US rental markets (Arlington is the #58 US city by renter households). With 20% down at 7.32%, FirstDoor scores a median-priced home Pass (−$3,619/mo cash flow).
Key numbers
The 1% rule in Arlington
The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of the price. Here's how Arlington compares.
Across all rentals (not just 3-bedrooms) the ratio is 0.25%. A home renting for the median 3-bedroom rent would need to cost about $331,000 or less to pass.
A typical Arlington home, scored
We took a home at the median value, gave it the median 3-bedroom rent, and ran it through the same math as the FirstDoor calculator: 20% down, a 30-year loan at 7.32%, the city's median tax rate, and standard expense budgets.
| 3-bedroom rent (median) | $3,306 |
| Property tax ($8,866/yr, local median) | −$739 |
| Insurance ($4,730/yr, assumed) | −$394 |
| Vacancy 5% · Maintenance 5% · Management 8% | −$595 |
| Net operating income | $1,578 |
| Mortgage (P&I on $756,560 at 7.32%) | −$5,197 |
| Monthly cash flow | −$3,619 |
What price works in Arlington?
Price is the lever you control. Holding rent at the Arlington median, these are the price ceilings for each FirstDoor result.
Takeaways
- Arlington's 0.35% ratio is far below the 1% rule (it would place #42 among the 50 largest). Most investors here are betting on appreciation, not monthly income.
- A median-priced home here would cost you about $3,619/mo out of pocket after the mortgage and every expense. To break even you'd need to pay about $405,000, 57% below the median.
- Renters are the majority here (61% of households), so the tenant pool is deep.
Frequently asked questions
Does Arlington pass the 1% rule?
No, on typical numbers. The median 3-bedroom gross rent is $3,306/mo and the median home value is $945,700 (Census ACS 2024 1-year), a ratio of 0.35%. To pass at that rent, a home would need to cost about $331,000 or less.
What is the typical rent for a 3-bedroom in Arlington?
The median gross rent for a 3-bedroom in Arlington, VA is $3,306 a month, and $2,347 across all rentals (Census ACS 2024 1-year). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays, so the landlord's share can be a bit lower.
Can you cash flow a rental in Arlington?
At the median price, not easily. With 20% down at 7.32% and realistic expenses, a $945,700 home renting for $3,306 loses about $3,619/mo. It breaks even at roughly $405,000.
How much cash do you need to buy a typical rental in Arlington?
About $217,540: a 20% down payment of $189,140 plus closing costs we assume at 3% ($28,400). Lenders often also want several months of reserves. Investment loans commonly need 15–25% down.
Is Arlington a good place to buy a first rental?
FirstDoor scores a median-priced home in Arlington as Pass (0 of 8 points). That's a starting point, not a verdict on every listing: neighborhoods vary, and buying below the median changes the math. Run any listing through the free calculator.
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Sources
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates (released September 2025); year-over-year changes compare with 2023. Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 22, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026. Insurance ($4,730/yr), closing costs (3%), maintenance (5%) and management (8%) are FirstDoor assumptions, not local data. Investment-property loans often price above the PMMS average. Medians describe the whole city, not any one home. Educational content, not financial advice.