Moving to or from Arlington?
The Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the CIA's nearest residential suburb, and Amazon's HQ2 all sit within Arlington's 26 square miles. Federal workers and defense contractors make up a plurality of the workforce, and every weekday morning Rosslyn's skyline lights up.
- 240,000 City population
- 6,400,000 Metro area
- 1801 Founded
- Northern Virginia (DC Metro) Region
Why people move to Arlington.
- The Pentagon — US Department of Defense headquarters
- Arlington National Cemetery — honors American war dead since the Civil War
- Amazon HQ2 — bringing 25,000+ Amazon jobs to the National Landing area
- Close-in DC metro access via five Metro lines
- Federal-contractor and intelligence-community workforce (the CIA is 10 minutes away)
- Smallest self-governing county in the US by land area
Arlington is not technically a city — it's a county that operates as a unified county-city government, the only one of its kind in Virginia. The entire 26-square-mile Arlington County is the smallest self-governing county in the US by land area, and its unified government means there are no separate city councils or incorporated sub-cities inside it.
Where people live in Arlington.
A quick guide to Arlington's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Rosslyn
Arlington's tallest skyline; condo towers and business offices directly across the Potomac from DC.
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Clarendon / Courthouse / Ballston
Walkable Metro-accessible neighborhoods along the Orange Line.
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National Landing (Crystal City / Pentagon City)
Home to Amazon HQ2; Pentagon-adjacent; growing residential scene.
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Lyon Village / Lyon Park
Historic single-family neighborhoods near Clarendon.
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Arlington Ridge
South Arlington with Pentagon and Washington views.
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Yorktown / East Falls Church
Established suburban neighborhoods on the western end.
Where people spend their time in Arlington.
- Arlington National Cemetery Central Arlington
- The Pentagon South Arlington
- Iwo Jima Memorial (Marine Corps War Memorial) North Arlington
- Theodore Roosevelt Island Rosslyn
- Air Force Memorial South Arlington
- National Landing (Amazon HQ2) Crystal City
Planning a Arlington move.
- Federal employee PCS and defense-contractor relocations drive peak demand in summer.
- High-rise moves in Rosslyn, Ballston, National Landing require COI, elevator reservations, and permits.
- NoVA traffic on I-395, I-66, and GW Parkway is among the worst in the US.
- Virginia DMV licensing required — verify any Arlington mover.
Moving in Arlington: FAQ.
How much does it cost to move within Arlington?
Local moves run $1,100–$3,500 for 1–2 bedroom and $3,400–$7,800 for 3–4 bedroom. Arlington is among the priciest Northern Virginia markets.
Is Arlington worth the cost?
For federal workers and defense contractors, yes — Metro access and proximity to the Pentagon/DC are unmatched. For others, outer Arlington County or Fairfax County offer more value.
Do Arlington movers need a state license?
Yes. Virginia DMV Motor Carrier licensing is required.
What's changing in Arlington with Amazon HQ2?
The National Landing area (Crystal City + Pentagon City + Potomac Yard) is being remade. Amazon's first towers opened in 2023; 25,000+ Amazon jobs are coming over time. Housing costs have risen, mover demand has spiked, and local infrastructure is scrambling to keep up.
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