Arlington and Alexandria share a border and both sit near Washington, D.C., but their housing types, source-dated prices, transit access, and local services differ. This guide compares those factual tradeoffs without assigning either city a preferred position.
This guide compares source-dated pricing, housing types, commute options, amenities, and official address-based school-assignment resources.
Quick Comparison
| Arlington | Alexandria | |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $750K | $680K |
| Days on Market | 10 | 12 |
| Neighborhoods | 13 | 8 |
| Metro Access | Orange, Silver, Blue lines | Blue, Yellow lines |
| School System | Arlington Public Schools | Alexandria City Public Schools |
| Vibe | Urban energy, fast-paced | Historic charm, neighborhood-driven |
| Compare On | Metro access, housing type, current price | Metro access, housing type, current price |
Both markets move fast, but Arlington is the more competitive of the two, with 10 days on market versus Alexandria's 12. The $70K median price difference is meaningful but narrows or widens depending on the specific neighborhood.
Arlington: A Deep Dive
The Market
In the guide's source period, Arlington showed a $750K median and 10-day average market time. Current results vary by property, price, condition, inventory, and timing. Arlington includes multiple Metro stations and is near Washington, D.C., and National Landing.
The Neighborhoods
Arlington has 13 distinct neighborhoods. Here are the ones that come up most in buyer conversations:
Rosslyn. High-rise living with direct Metro access and skyline views. Condos offer the most accessible price points, often below the county median.
Clarendon and Courthouse. The social hub of Arlington. Restaurants, shops, and walkable energy along Wilson Boulevard. Pricing tends to run above the median.
Ballston. New development mixed with established residential streets. Good Orange and Silver line Metro access.
Columbia Pike. The corridor includes multifamily housing, restaurants, and retail. In the source period, prices ran below the county median; verify current listings, fees, condition, and transit plans.
Lyon Village and Ashton Heights. Classic single-family neighborhoods with tree-lined streets. Among the most expensive areas, with homes frequently exceeding $1M.
National Landing. Anchored by Amazon's HQ2. The area includes newer development, condos, and transit connections. Verify current construction, inventory, fees, and access directly.
For a deeper look at all 13 neighborhoods, explore the Arlington city guide or find agent profiles with available transaction records in Arlington.
Arlington comparison factors
Compare exact properties by housing type, current price, Metro access, street layout, restaurants, parks, fees, and property-specific market conditions. County-level market time does not determine how quickly a particular property will move.
Alexandria: A Deep Dive
The Market
Alexandria offers a different rhythm. The $680K median is $70K below Arlington, and homes average 12 days on market. That is still fast by national standards, but enough breathing room to feel less frantic. The market is shaped by Alexandria's historic character, its waterfront, and the strong identity of its individual neighborhoods.
The Neighborhoods
Alexandria has 8 main neighborhoods, and the personality differences between them are significant:
Old Town. Cobblestone streets, 18th-century row houses, waterfront dining, and a connected street grid. Many homes exceed $1M in the cited period, while condos appear at lower price points.
Del Ray. Often described as a small town within a city. Independent restaurants and shops line Mount Vernon Avenue. Housing includes bungalows and craftsman homes on tree-lined streets.
Carlyle and Eisenhower. Newer developments near Eisenhower Metro included lower-priced inventory than several Alexandria areas in the guide's source period. Verify current listings, fees, and condition.
West End. Housing includes larger lots and more green space than some close-in Alexandria areas. Verify property-specific traffic, noise, and access directly.
Potomac Yard. Rapidly developing with a new Metro station catalyzing growth. New condos and improved connectivity make this an area worth watching.
Seminary Hill and Beverly Hills. Established single-family neighborhoods with mature trees and mid-century homes on generous lots.
Read the full Alexandria neighborhood guide or find agent profiles with available transaction records in Alexandria.
Alexandria comparison factors
Compare exact properties by housing type, current price, street layout, retail access, architecture, transit, fees, and property-specific market conditions. The guide does not infer which city suits a person or household.
Commute Comparison
To Washington, D.C.
Arlington has the edge along the Orange and Silver lines. Rosslyn to Foggy Bottom is one Metro stop. Ballston to Metro Center is about 15 minutes.
Alexandria serves the Blue and Yellow lines well. The Yellow Line provides a fast shot to Gallery Place and downtown. The new Potomac Yard station has improved access significantly.
To Tysons and the Dulles Corridor
Arlington wins here. The Silver Line runs from Ballston through Tysons and out to Reston. If you work in Tysons, Arlington is one straight shot.
Alexandria requires a transfer or a drive. Commuting from Alexandria to Tysons is doable but less convenient.
By Car
Both cities sit along I-395 for direct D.C. access. Arlington also connects to I-66 heading west. Alexandria links to the George Washington Parkway for a scenic Potomac route.
If your commute is Metro-dependent, the specific line matters more than the city. Map your work address against station locations before deciding.
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Compare agents nowSchools
This is where the two cities diverge meaningfully.
Arlington Public Schools publishes address assignments, option-program rules, and facilities information.
Alexandria City Public Schools publishes address assignments, program information, and facilities information. Application-based and private-school options use separate eligibility and admissions rules.
School assignments and program eligibility vary by address in both systems. Use each district's official locator and current program rules for the homes you are comparing.
Lifestyle
Dining: Arlington's Clarendon corridor is the region's most concentrated dining and nightlife scene outside D.C. Alexandria counters with character. Old Town's waterfront restaurants and Del Ray's independently owned eateries feel curated rather than concentrated.
Outdoors: Arlington has miles of trails including the Custis Trail and Four Mile Run. Alexandria has the Mount Vernon Trail along the river and waterfront parks in Old Town.
Shopping: Arlington's retail concentrates in Ballston, Clarendon, and Pentagon City. Alexandria's is more distributed. King Street in Old Town mixes boutiques with national chains, and Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue offers a small-business feel.
A neutral comparison checklist
- Current property price, condition, housing type, fees, and taxes
- Exact-address access to relevant Metro lines and recurring destinations
- Street layout, retail, parks, architecture, and other observable amenities
- Property-specific market conditions rather than citywide urgency claims
- Official address-based school assignment and applicable program rules, considered separately from the housing decision
Compare specific properties using budget, housing type, commute, transit, amenities, taxes, and official address-based sources. The guide does not put either city in a preferred order or predict which location will suit a particular household.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Arlington or Alexandria cheaper for first-time buyers?
Alexandria has a lower median home price at $680K compared to Arlington's $750K. But price depends heavily on the neighborhood. Condos in Arlington's Columbia Pike or Alexandria's Eisenhower corridor can both offer entry points well below the citywide median. Start with your budget and commute, then narrow from there.
Q: Which city has better Metro access?
The cities connect to different Metro lines. Compare the exact origin, destination, transfers, schedule, and total travel time for your commute.
Q: How do school assignments differ between Arlington and Alexandria?
Arlington Public Schools and Alexandria City Public Schools publish separate address locators, attendance boundaries, and program rules. Verify the exact address and applicable school year directly with the relevant system instead of using a citywide quality label.
Q: Can I find a single-family home under $700K in either city?
In Alexandria, yes. Neighborhoods like the West End and parts of the Eisenhower corridor have single-family homes and townhomes below $700K. In Arlington, single-family homes under $700K are rare. Most buyers at that price point in Arlington look at condos or townhomes.