Arlington vs. Alexandria vs. Fairfax County: Which Fits Your Life?

If you’re moving to Northern Virginia, these three are often the first names on your list. They sit next to each other, but they feel very different. Here’s how I explain them to clients.

Side-by-side comparison

	Arlington	Alexandria	Fairfax County
Overall feel	Urban and walkable along Metro corridors	Historic Old Town plus diverse neighborhoods	Suburban with urban hubs
Common home types	Condos, townhouses, older single-family	Rowhouses, condos, townhouses, single-family	Single-family, townhouses, condos
Metro access	Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow lines	Blue and Yellow lines	Orange and Silver lines, plus Blue in the south
Space for the money	Least	Moderate	Most
Good fit for	Commuters who want walkability	Buyers who love character and the waterfront	Buyers who want more room and choice

Arlington

Arlington packs a lot into a small county. Neighborhoods like Clarendon, Ballston and Courthouse are built around Metro stations with shops and restaurants on the ground floor. National Landing in the south is growing around Amazon’s HQ2. Farther from the corridors, you’ll find quiet streets of older single-family homes. Space is tight, so many buyers start with a condo or townhouse. See my Arlington area guide.

Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria has cobblestone streets, historic rowhouses and a lively waterfront. Del Ray has a small-town main street feel. Potomac Yard has newer homes and its own Metro station, and the West End offers more affordable condos and townhouses. Alexandria is an independent city, so it has its own government, schools and tax rate. See my Alexandria area guide.

Fairfax County

Fairfax is the largest county in the region and almost a collection of small cities. Tysons and Reston offer high-rise and walkable living. McLean, Vienna and Oakton have larger lots. Springfield, Burke and Centreville offer more space for the money. There’s something for almost every budget. See my Fairfax County area guide.

A worked example: same budget, three outcomes

Imagine a $750,000 budget. In close-in Arlington, that might buy a two-bedroom condo near Metro. In parts of Alexandria, it might buy a townhouse with a small patio. In many parts of Fairfax County, it could buy a larger townhouse or an older single-family home with a yard. None is better. Each trades space against location and lifestyle in a different way.

Remember that all three areas have a wide range of prices inside them. A condo in Fairfax’s Tysons can cost more than a townhouse in part of Alexandria. Search by neighborhood and home type, not just by city or county name.

Getting around and getting away

All three have great trails and parks. Arlington and Alexandria connect to the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac, and the W&OD Trail runs from Arlington through Fairfax and into Loudoun. Fairfax County has large parks like Burke Lake and Lake Accotink. Reagan National Airport is minutes from Arlington and Alexandria, while western Fairfax is closer to Dulles. Think about where you’ll spend your weekends, not just your workdays.

Questions to help you decide

1. How many days a week will you commute, and to where?
2. Do you want to walk to coffee and dinner, or have a yard?
3. How much space do you need now, and in five years?
4. Is a condo or HOA fee acceptable to you?
5. How important is a short trip into D.C. on weekends?

What most people miss

• Tax rates differ. See Northern Virginia property taxes.
• Alexandria addresses aren’t always in the City of Alexandria. Many are in Fairfax County with an Alexandria mailing address.
• Fairfax is so big that two homes in the same county can have very different commutes.

Frequently asked questions

Is an Alexandria mailing address the same as living in the City of Alexandria?

No. Many homes with Alexandria addresses are in Fairfax County. The jurisdiction decides your taxes, schools and services, so check the parcel.

Which is best for commuting to D.C.?

Arlington is usually the quickest, followed by Alexandria. Fairfax commutes vary widely by location and Metro access.

Where will I get the most space for my budget?

Generally in Fairfax County, especially farther from the Beltway and Metro stations.