Arlington County, Virginia Property Taxes
Free public-data reference page. Cross-checked against the upstream agency, refreshed as new data lands. Cite PlainPropertyTax when you reuse this analysis.
Census Bureau ACS property tax data for Virginia. Population: 46,221.
The median annual property tax in Arlington County is $8,153, which is 303% higher than the Virginia state average and 309% above the national average. The effective tax rate is 0.91% on a median home value of $895,000. Property taxes represent 5.7% of the median household income in this county. All property tax data shown below is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, which aggregates self-reported tax payments from homeowner households across the county. This page includes tax trends over multiple years, comparisons with neighboring counties, and a rent-versus-own cost analysis.
Arlington County residents paid a median $8,153 in annual property taxes in 2024, dwarfing Virginia's statewide median of $2,790 across 133 counties.U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (B25103, Mortgage Status by Real Estate Taxes Paid) Median home values hit $895,000 here — more than double the state's $383,700 figure — alongside an effective tax rate of 0.91%, which tops Virginia's 0.73% and edges the national median of 0.81% among 3,137 counties. Owners without mortgages shoulder a higher median burden at $8,362, compared to $8,044 for those with mortgages.
Among Virginia peers, Falls Church city reports $10,001 medians and 0.95% rates; Fairfax County shows $7,368 and 1.01%; Alexandria city lists $7,024 and 0.96%. Arlington's $142,114 median household income stands well above state levels, pairing with its dense population of 46,221 in a key Northern Virginia locale. This Census ACS 5-year snapshot captures medians but skips trends over time, property-specific details, or adjustments for local exemptions.
Analysis compiled from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates data by Kiznis Studio editorial team using AI-assisted drafting and human-reviewed methodology.
What This Data Tells Us About Arlington County
Homeowners in Arlington County pay a median annual property tax of $8,153, which is 309% higher than the national median and 303% above the Virginia state average. The effective tax rate of 0.91% on a median home value of $895,000 reflects how the local assessment base and millage combine into an actual bill.
Property taxes in Arlington County represent about 5.7% of the median household income of $142,114, compared with a common national benchmark of 2% to 4%. Homeowners with a mortgage report a median of $8,044 in annual property tax while those without a mortgage report $8,362 — a gap that usually reflects differences in home value rather than differences in tax rate. Compared with 2023, the median tax bill changed by 4.9%, which tracks reassessment cycles and changes in the underlying home value distribution.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe the median homeowner household in Arlington County as reported to the Census Bureau — your own bill can differ based on your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and municipal overlays. Always consult your county assessor, tax collector, or a qualified professional before making decisions that depend on these numbers.
With vs Without Mortgage
Homeowners with a mortgage typically own higher-valued properties, which can result in higher tax bills.
How does your county compare?
Arlington County vs Benchmarks
| Metric | Arlington County | Virginia Avg | U.S. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Tax | $8,153 | $2,023 | $1,993 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.91% | 0.65% | 0.92% |
| Median Home Value | $895,000 | $295,808 | $227,791 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates. Tax-burden differences across rows reflect millage decisions, assessment-ratio practices, and the residential-vs-commercial mix of each tax base.
Think your Arlington County property tax bill is too high?
A successful appeal can lower your assessed value by 10-25%, cutting your annual tax bill by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Use our free Appeal Savings Estimator to project savings on your specific home, then read our step-by-step appeal guide for the exact procedure in Virginia.
Property Tax History
| Year | Median Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,153 +4.9% | 0.91% |
| 2023 | $7,774 +4.7% | 0.90% |
| 2022 | $7,427 +8.5% | 0.89% |
| 2021 | $6,845 +6.1% | 0.91% |
| 2020 | $6,450 | 0.88% |
Tax Burden
Tax Affordability Score
Based on the effective tax rate of 0.91% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Property taxes in Arlington County are below average, making it a more affordable area for homeowners.
Other Counties in Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average property tax in Arlington County, Virginia? ▼
How does Arlington County property tax compare to the national average? ▼
Does having a mortgage affect property taxes in Arlington County? ▼
What percentage of income goes to property taxes in Arlington County? ▼
Are property taxes increasing in Arlington County? ▼
How can I appeal my property tax assessment in Arlington County? ▼
Property Tax Guides
Related Data for Virginia
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
Property tax data reflects median amounts paid by homeowners. Effective rates are calculated as median tax divided by median home value.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.