Talk to a local advisor for free
Located just west of the nation’s capital, Arlington is a culturally rich city that has been named by Bankrate as the best city in the country to retire. It’s home to over 200,000 people, roughly 1 in 10 of whom are aged 65 and over. It has a comfortable climate with year-round highs ranging from 43 to 88 degrees and low humidity levels. Seniors have access to a wide array of amenities, including memorials and museums, free outdoor programming from the Parks and Recreation Department and several senior centers. While the overall cost of living is high, its affordable health care costs combined with Virginia’s retirement-friendly tax laws may make it affordable for seniors.
Assisted living residents in Arlington pay an average of $5,948 per month, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Those individuals are typically seniors who do not require the full-time medical oversight offered by nursing homes but do need regular help with personal care and other day-to-day tasks. Arlington’s average assisted living cost is about $1,500 higher than the national average and $700 higher than the Virginia average.
This guide compares the cost of assisted living in Arlington to other options. Additionally, it offers financial resources that seniors paying for assisted living may find helpful.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Virginia. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Arlington seniors pay a monthly average of $5,948 for assisted living care.
On average, Arlington’s seniors pay more for assisted living than their peers from the rest of the country, whose typical fee is $4,500 per month. Across Virginia, the average rate is lower than Arlington’s, too, coming in at $5,250.
Arlington’s median rate is also higher than those of other Genworth-assessed cities in Virginia. Staunton, Virginia Beach and Richmond are all at least $1,000 more affordable than Arlington on average. In Winchester, seniors pay $5,015 on average, which is $933 below the corresponding rate in Arlington. However, Charlottesville, with its $5,700 average rate, is much more similar to Arlington in price, as is Harrisonburg, where the median fee is $5,711. Roanoke’s average cost nearly matches Arlington’s, coming in at $5,925.
Note: Data for Arlington was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Washington, D.C., was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Virginia.
| Contact | Description | |
| Senior Centers | (703) 228-4747 | Arlington’s Parks and Recreation Department operates programs for city residents aged 55 and older, including five senior centers located across the city. These centers offer a variety of services for members, including congregate meals, public access computers and wireless Internet, fitness centers and organized games and activities. The centers also have travel programs that facilitate visits to local entertainment venues, scenic train and boat tours, shopping and dining excursions and sporting events. Amenities and hours of operation vary by location. |
| Washington D.C. National Capital Region Benefit Office | (202) 530-9162 | The National Capital Region Benefit Office is located about 5 miles from Arlington and is the closest VA benefits office. At this location, eligible veterans and their spouses receive counseling about available VA benefits and assistance with the application process. Some benefits that seniors who served in the armed forces may be eligible for include disability compensation, pension, health care, insurance and burial. Seniors may also learn more about the Aid and Attendance program, which may cover assisted living services. |
| Area Agency on Aging | (703) 228-1700 | Arlington’s AAA is part of the Arlington County Department of Human Services’ Aging and Disability Services Division. It offers a range of services to city residents aged 60 and over, including nutrition programs, legal assistance, money management, senior centers and transportation services. The AAA also has a long-term care ombudsman program that resolves complaints regarding care and interpersonal issues in assisted living facilities. |
| RSVP – Northern Virginia | (703) 246-3460 | RSVP – Northern Virginia is the largest volunteer network in the region for those aged 55 and older. Through this program, seniors can use their interests and experiences to provide valuable services to their community. Volunteer opportunities include meal deliveries, supporting local food pantries and mentoring underserved children and adults. Seniors select the volunteer opportunity that fits their interests and decide how much they want to work. In exchange for services, seniors may receive travel and meal reimbursement, supplemental insurance and invitations to free social and recognition events. |
| Legal Services of Northern Virginia | (703) 532-3733 | LSNV serves low-income seniors in Arlington who need legal assistance in areas such as elder law and public benefits. The organization can also help with advance planning, including advanced directives, DDNR orders and physician scope of treatment in the event of a chronic progressive illness. |
| Medicare Classes | (703) 228-1788 | The state’s Aging and Disability Department offers interactive Medicare Made Simple Classes, which feature curriculum developed through the federal State Health Insurance and Assistance Program and the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program. The class covers topics such as Medicare benefits, recognizing scams and the Open Enrollment period. Classes are free, but registration is required. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Arlington area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
