Living in Arlington, Massachusetts

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Arlington · Census data 2020–2024

Arlington has 46,350 residents with a median age of 41.6. The median household income is $150,701 (45% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $933,800, the median rent is $2,082/month.

Arlington at a glance

Population
46,350
Median age
41.6State: 40
Median household income
$150,701State: $103,960
Median home value
$933,800State: $562,100
Median rent
$2,082/moState: $1,762
Homeowners
61.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
76.1%
Average commute
32 min

Is Arlington a good place to live?

Pros: Median household income 45% higher than the Massachusetts median; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 5.4%.

Cons: Home values 66% higher than the state median; an average commute of 32 minutes.

The weather is best in May–June and August–September.

Cost of living in Arlington

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Arlington the median home value is $933,800, 181% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,082 per month, which is 24% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,831 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Arlington$933,800
Massachusetts$562,100
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Arlington$2,082
Massachusetts$1,762
United States$1,413

Arlington median household income

The median household income in Arlington is $150,701 and the income per person is $91,718. 5.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).

Median household income

Arlington$150,701
Massachusetts$103,960
United States$80,734

Housing in Arlington: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
20,746
Owner-occupied
61.6%
Renter-occupied
38.4%
Vacant
3.6%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1945
Average household size
2.30

Arlington demographics

Population
46,350
Median age
41.6
Under 18
20.5%
65 and older
17.3%
Households
20,005
Foreign-born
18.6%
Veterans
2.8%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White74.3%
Hispanic or Latino4.9%
Black2%
Asian13%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Arlington ›

Education in Arlington

76.1% of adults 25 and older in Arlington have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 46.5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Arlington76.1%
Massachusetts47.3%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Arlington

Unemployment rate
2.9%State: 5.2%
Average commute
32 minState: 29 min
Work from home
34.5%
Drive alone
43.5%
Public transit
11.1%
Walk to work
2%
Homes with broadband
95.6%

Arlington vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Arlington46,350$150,701$933,800$2,082
Belmont27,175$183,137$1,159,000$2,527
Winchester23,406$230,198$1,215,200$2,279
Medford59,354$129,540$755,500$2,509
Watertown35,543$126,265$784,600$2,502
Cambridge118,796$130,748$1,092,100$2,787
Somerville81,036$132,572$911,300$2,517
Lexington34,295$238,444$1,203,100$2,891
Waltham64,902$120,216$748,700$2,268

More for people moving to Arlington

Arlington ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Arlington: FAQ

What is the median household income in Arlington, MA?

The median household income in Arlington is $150,701, 45% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Arlington?

The median home value in Arlington is $933,800, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.

How much is rent in Arlington?

The median gross rent in Arlington is $2,082 per month, about 24% of household income.

Is Arlington, MA a good place to live?

Pluses: median household income 45% higher than the Massachusetts median; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 5.4%. Minuses: home values 66% higher than the state median; an average commute of 32 minutes.

What is the median age in Arlington?

The median age in Arlington is 41.6 years (Massachusetts: 40).

How long is the commute in Arlington?

The average commute to work in Arlington is 32 minutes; 34.5% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Arlington?

The unemployment rate in Arlington is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Arlington?

76.1% of adults in Arlington have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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