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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.
On average, assisted living in Arlington costs $5,100 per month, which is quite a bit higher than state and national averages. Exact costs depend on where a facility is located and the amenities it offers.
Note: Assisted living cost data isn’t available for Arlington, so data for the nearest city, Washington, D.C., was used.
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 >
Assisted living in Arlington is relatively costly at $5,100 per month, which is about 6% higher than the state average of $4,800 and 23% higher than the national average of $4,051. Arlington is also costly in comparison to Virginia’s bordering states. In North Carolina, care is $1,100 cheaper per month than in Arlington, and in Tennessee, seniors pay $1,200 less monthly. Maryland has monthly assisted living costs averaging $4,300, and West Virginia is the most affordable nearby state with monthly costs averaging $3,750.
Compared to other Virginia cities, Arlington is among the pricier options for assisted living, mainly due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. In the nearby cities of Winchester and Charlottesville, also located in northern Virginia, care is even more expensive at $5,600 and $5,795. In the central and southern regions of Virginia, seniors pay less for care. Lynchburg, Blacksburg and Roanoke are all relatively affordable, with respective monthly costs averaging $4,450, $4,800 and $3,808.
Arlington seniors may qualify to have some assisted living services covered. The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Medicaid waiver covers personal care services, assistive technology and skilled private duty nursing. The Adult Services Program is a state-run program that covers services, such as homemaker services and adult foster care. SSI-eligible seniors may also qualify for additional monthly benefits through the Auxiliary Grant.
Learn more about these programs, including eligibility and application information, on our Assisted Living in Virginia page.
| 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. |
In Arlington, assisted living facilities are governed by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The department has regulations in place pertaining to staffing, facility requirements and scope of care. Visit our Assisted Living in Virginia page to learn more about these laws and regulations.