Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in the City of Alexandria , Virginia
The City of Alexandria has a HUD fair market rent of $2,438 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $2,089 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $46.88 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $2,438
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 36% more than in Virginia
- Typical rent
- $2,089
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 32% more than in Virginia
- Wage needed
- $46.88
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $97,520 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 45%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 7% less than in Virginia
Only here
Renting in the City of Alexandria: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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At 42%, the City of Alexandria ranks 6th among the 133 places in Virginia for the lowest homeownership rate.
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At $2,089, the City of Alexandria ranks 7th among the 133 places in Virginia for the highest typical rent.
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At $119,681, the City of Alexandria ranks 11th among the 133 places in Virginia for the highest typical household income.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in the City of Alexandria. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in the City of Alexandria was $2,243 a month in September 2026: 0.9% less than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,111 | $40.60 | $84,440 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,204 | $42.38 | $88,160 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,438 | $46.88 | $97,520 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,107 | $59.75 | $124,280 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,658 | $70.35 | $146,320 |
HUD area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 6 ZIP codes in the City of Alexandria (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $2,310 in 22311 to $3,480 in 22314. 4 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($2,438).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 22301 | $2,520 | $2,630 | $2,910 | $3,710 | $4,370 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22302 | $2,170 | $2,270 | $2,510 | $3,200 | $3,770 |
| 22304 | $2,430 | $2,540 | $2,810 | $3,580 | $4,220 |
| 22305 | $2,010 | $2,100 | $2,320 | $2,960 | $3,480 |
| 22311 | $2,000 | $2,090 | $2,310 | $2,940 | $3,470 |
| 22314 | $3,010 | $3,150 | $3,480 | $4,430 | $5,220 |
- 22301 $2,910$3,710
- 22302 $2,510$3,200
- 22304 $2,810$3,580
- 22305 $2,320$2,960
- 22311 $2,310$2,940
- 22314 $3,480$4,430
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In the City of Alexandria, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Virginia, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
45%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
44,031 households rent in the City of Alexandria
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 55%
Compared with the state and the country
- Alexandria 45%
- Virginia 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in the City of Alexandria
HUD lists 42 properties with homes for low-income households in the City of Alexandria: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 25
- HUD-assisted
- 9
- public housing
- 8
5,845 homes in all; 3,794 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Foxchase of Alexandria HUD-assisted 766 N Howard St, Alexandria 22304 2,113 homes, 423 low-income · For families · (703) 823-5150
- Fields of Alexandria Tax credit (LIHTC) 4309 Duke St, Alexandria 22304 306 homes, 304 low-income · In service since 2001 · For families
- Claridge House II HUD-assisted 301 N Ripley St, Alexandria 22304 304 homes, 300 low-income · For older adults · (703) 823-5444
- Crestview Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 318 S Whiting St, Alexandria 22304 290 low-income homes · Studio: 3 · 1 bd: 99 · 2 bd: 134 · 3 bd: 54 · In service since 1998
- Brent Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 375 S Reynolds St, Alexandria 22304 207 homes, 196 low-income · 1 bd: 47 · 2 bd: 100 · 3 bd: 50 · In service since 2000 · For families
- Ladrey Building Public housing 300 Wythe St, Alexandria 22314 170 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · (703) 549-7115
- Samuel Madden Homes Public housing 1332 Madison St, Alexandria 22314 156 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $524 a month · Average wait: 32 months · (703) 549-7115
- Edsall Station Apartments HUD-assisted 6272 Edsall Rd, Alexandria 22312 135 low-income homes · For families · (703) 370-8280
- Scattered Sites Public housing 3108 S 28th St, Alexandria 22302 122 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $802 a month · Average wait: 19 months · Homes at several sites · (703) 549-7115
- Parcview Tax credit (LIHTC) 5380 Holmes Run Pkwy, Alexandria 22304 149 homes, 120 low-income · In service since 2008 · For families
- Fields of Old Town Tax credit (LIHTC) 1229 N Quaker Ln, Alexandria 22302 98 low-income homes · In service since 2004 · For families
- ST. James Plaza Tax credit (LIHTC) 5140 Fillmore Ave, Alexandria 22311 93 low-income homes · Studio: 3 · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 66 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2018 · For families
- Annie B. Rose House HUD-assisted 399 Pendleton St, Alexandria 22314 90 low-income homes · For older adults · (703) 548-4946
- Heritage at Old Town (A1) HUD-assisted 500 S Alfred St, Alexandria 22314 244 homes, 89 low-income · For families · (703) 549-1127
- Jackson Crossing Tax credit (LIHTC) 120 E Reed Ave, Alexandria 22305 78 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 51 · 3 bd: 13 · In service since 2016 · For families
- Olde Towne West III HUD-assisted 500 S Alfred St, Alexandria 22314 128 homes, 75 low-income · For families · (703) 549-4343
- Arbelo and Longview Tax credit (LIHTC) 831 Bashford Ln, Alexandria 22314 75 low-income homes · Studio: 9 · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 52 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Nexus at West Alex Tax credit (LIHTC) 4622 King St, Alexandria 22302 74 low-income homes · Studio: 7 · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 50 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2019 · For families
- Quaker Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) 1252 Quaker Hill Dr, Alexandria 22314 60 low-income homes · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 2012 · For families
- James Bland V Tax credit (LIHTC) 998 N Alfred St, Alexandria 22314 54 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Chatham Square Tax credit (LIHTC) 409 Euille St, Alexandria 22314 52 low-income homes · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 26 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Chatham Square Public housing 427 Cook St, Alexandria 22314 52 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $862 a month · Average wait: 11 months · (703) 549-7115
- Heritage at Old Town (a2) HUD-assisted 500 S Alfred St, Alexandria 22314 51 low-income homes · For families
- Lynhaven (willam Watters) Tax credit (LIHTC) 3513 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria 22305 49 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 34 · In service since 2016 · For families
- Braddock Whiting Reynolds Tax credit (LIHTC) 1706 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria 22302 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Braddock, Whiting, & Reynolds Public housing 281 S Whiting St, Alexandria 22304 48 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $803 a month · Average wait: 11 months · Homes at several sites · (703) 549-7115
- West Glebe Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 865 W Glebe Rd, Alexandria 22305 48 low-income homes · In service since 2011 · For families
- West Glebe LP Public housing 859 W Glebe Rd, Alexandria 22305 48 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $688 a month · Average wait: 29 months · (703) 549-7115
- Potomac West Tax credit (LIHTC) 3515 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria 22305 60 homes, 45 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 44 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Station at Potomac Yard Tax credit (LIHTC) 2501 Jeff Davis Hwy, Alexandria 22301 65 homes, 44 low-income · In service since 2010 · For families
- James Bland IV Tax credit (LIHTC) 898 N Alfred St, Alexandria 22314 44 low-income homes · In service since 2014 · For families
- James Bland Phase IV Public housing 805 N Patrick St, Alexandria 22314 44 low-income homes · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $910 a month · (703) 549-7115
- Lacy Court Tax credit (LIHTC) 48 W Nelson Ave, Alexandria 22301 44 low-income homes · Studio: 2 · 1 bd: 3 · 2 bd: 17 · 3 bd: 22 · In service since 2019 · For families
- Old Dominion Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 3963 Old Dominion Blvd, Alexandria 22305 36 low-income homes · In service since 2011 · For families
- Beverly Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 613 Notabene Dr, Alexandria 22305 33 low-income homes · In service since 2010 · For families
- Elbert Avenue Tax credit (LIHTC) 3908 Elbert Ave, Alexandria 22305 29 homes, 24 low-income · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2001 · For families
- Pendleton Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 610 N Payne St, Alexandria 22314 24 low-income homes · In service since 2014 · For families
- James Bland I Tax credit (LIHTC) 808 Madison St, Alexandria 22314 18 low-income homes · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2012 · For families
- James Bland Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 801 Madison St, Alexandria 22314 18 low-income homes · In service since 2013 · For families
- Bellefonte Apartments HUD-assisted 417 E Bellefonte Ave, Alexandria 22301 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (703) 746-3471
- Ramsey Homes Public housing 625 N Patrick St, Alexandria 22314 52 homes, 6 low-income · Run by Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority · (703) 549-7115
- Pendleton Park Apts HUD-assisted 608 N Payne St, Alexandria 22314 24 homes, 4 low-income · For families · (703) 549-7115
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in the City of Alexandria
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in the City of Alexandria. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
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Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
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Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $34,900 | $58,150 | $74,800 |
| 2 people | $39,900 | $66,450 | $85,450 |
| 3 people | $44,900 | $74,750 | $96,150 |
| 4 people | $49,850 | $83,050 | $106,800 |
| 5 people | $53,850 | $89,700 | $115,350 |
| 6 people | $57,850 | $96,350 | $123,900 |
| 7 people | $61,850 | $103,000 | $132,450 |
| 8 people | $65,850 | $109,650 | $141,000 |
Area median income: $166,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,900 – $2,322
- 1 bedroom $1,984 – $2,424
- 2 bedrooms $2,194 – $2,682
- 3 bedrooms $2,796 – $3,418
- 4 bedrooms $3,292 – $4,024
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 2,484 vouchers · 692 public housing units (703) 549-7115 Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority: jdiaz@arha.us
Housing agencies in Virginia Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Virginia
What Virginia law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 2 months of rent
- Va. Code §55.1-1226(A)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 45 days
- Va. Code §55.1-1226(A)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- Va. Code §55.1-1245(F)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- Va. Code §55.1-1253(A)
- Only a court order can remove youVa. Code §55.1-1252
- Protection from retaliationVa. Code §55.1-1258(A)
- Repair and deduct from the rentVa. Code §55.1-1244.1(C)
Help
Where to get help with rent in the City of Alexandria
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Latino Economic Development Corporation - Branch
2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington · 5 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Workshops for new owners
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in the City of Alexandria. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Virginia, the average home bill was $149 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$4,876
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $2,438
- Security deposit
- $2,438
- Total
- $4,876
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in the City of Alexandria?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $2,111; 1 bedroom: $2,204; 2 bedrooms: $2,438; 3 bedrooms: $3,107; 4 bedrooms: $3,658. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in the City of Alexandria?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($2,438) without spending more than 30% of income takes $46.88 an hour full time, or $97,520 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in the City of Alexandria?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $83,050 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in the City of Alexandria?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $2,194 and $2,682 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in the City of Alexandria?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $2,310 in 22311 to $3,480 in 22314. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in the City of Alexandria?
HUD lists 42 properties with homes for low-income households in the City of Alexandria: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in the City of Alexandria?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In the City of Alexandria, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Virginia, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).