See your real net paycheck in Arlington for 2026. Break down federal tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, then view weekly, biweekly, and monthly take-home pay.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Arlington median household income: $137,000 · Avg 1BR rent: $2,200/mo
Virginia levies a state income tax (2% to 5.75%) that comes out of every Arlington paycheck on top of federal tax and FICA. Virginia has four income tax brackets with a top rate of 5.75% that kicks in at just $17,000. This means most Virginia residents pay at or near the top rate. The state does not tax Social Security benefits.
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Take-Home | Effective Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,998 | $2,750 | 17.5% |
| $60,000 | $47,918 | $3,993 | 20.1% |
| $80,000 | $61,186 | $5,099 | 23.5% |
| $137,000 | $97,635 | $8,136 | 28.7% |
| $120,000 | $86,993 | $7,249 | 27.5% |
| $160,000 | $112,033 | $9,336 | 30.0% |
Single filer, standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions. Estimates only.
Arlington sits directly across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., and hosts the Pentagon, a dense federal and defense-contracting economy, and Amazon's HQ2 in National Landing, giving it some of the highest household incomes and housing costs in Virginia.
| Local Metric | Arlington (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 235,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Arlington County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 133 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $24.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $48.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,200/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,800/month |
| Median home price | $750,000 |
| Median household income | $137,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
On a $137,000 salary (single, standard deduction) in Arlington, estimated take-home pay is roughly $97,635/year. With median household income near $137,000 and average 1-bedroom rent of $2,200/month, housing alone can take a large share of net pay.
Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% up to $176,100, Medicare 1.45%) apply to every worker. Virginia state income tax (2% to 5.75%) also applies in Arlington.
Arlington does not impose a city income tax. Your paycheck reflects federal tax, Virginia state tax, and FICA.
For the 2025 tax year filed in 2026, the federal standard deduction is $15,000 (single) and $30,000 (married filing jointly). This calculator applies it before computing federal and state income tax.
Contribute more to a pre-tax 401(k) or 403(b), use an HSA or FSA, and claim eligible deductions. These reduce federal and Virginia state income tax, though most do not reduce Social Security or Medicare.