Rent vs buy in Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria, VA · ZIP 22314 · computed from 156 active listings within about 1.5 miles on September 14, 2026
The one number that matters
Renting a 1-bedroom here costs $2,350 a month at the median. Owning a matched 1-bedroom costs about $2,435 a month all in on the homes the engine actually matches here, typically around $274,992: mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any HOA.
The market right now
- Studio: $1,990/mo median rent
- 1-bedroom: $2,350/mo median rent
156 homes actively for sale within about 1.5 miles, spanning 2 studio, 50 1-bed, 53 2-bed, 29 3-bed, 16 4-bed, 3 5-bed, 1 6-bed. 125 of them sit inside 22314 itself.
Rent medians over 19 active rental listings in 22314.
What buying takes
- 1-bedroom: $449,000 median list price (market context, not the basis)
- 2-bedroom: $794,900 median list price (market context, not the basis)
- 3-bedroom: $999,990 median list price (market context, not the basis)
- 4-bedroom: $1,337,000 median list price (market context, not the basis)
studio and 5-bedroom list prices are not shown: fewer than 5 active listings, too few to publish a median from.
All-in monthly to own: $2,435 for a 1-bedroom, $3,125 for a 2-bedroom - mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any HOA carried.
Cash to close on a matched 1-bedroom: about $60,498 ($54,998 down plus $5,500 closing), on the homes the engine actually matches here, typically around $274,992.
When buying pulls ahead
Buying a matched 1-bedroom here (on the homes the engine actually matches here, typically around $274,992) overtakes renting and investing the difference around year 4. By year ten the gap is about $62,395 in favor of owning.
The roommate math nobody shows you
A matched 2-bedroom here runs about $3,125 a month to own on the homes the engine actually matches here, typically around $329,667. Split two ways, that is about $1,656 per person. Qualifying for the same home solo takes roughly $104,000 a year at the standard 36 percent lender cap: rent splits between people, a mortgage qualification does not.
On the market in Old Town Alexandria
| Address | Beds | Price | Cash to close |
|---|---|---|---|
| 718 S Washington St APT 101 | 1 | $265,000 | $58,300 |
| 305 Duncan Ave APT D | 1 | $279,977 | $61,595 |
| 1602 W Abingdon Dr APT 101 | 1 | $280,000 | $61,600 |
| 922 S Washington St APT 310 | 1 | $275,000 | $60,500 |
| 922 S Washington St APT 304 | 1 | $275,000 | $60,500 |
| 1632 W Abingdon Dr APT 302 | 1 | $295,000 | $64,900 |
The engine's own top matches for a typical renter here; each cash-to-close is 20 percent down plus closing on that home's price.
Keep exploring
- Shaw & Bloomingdale · own from about $1,970/mo
- H Street Corridor & Trinidad · own from about $1,803/mo
- Capitol Hill & Navy Yard · own from about $1,672/mo
- Logan Circle & Downtown · own from about $1,994/mo
- Georgetown & Burleith · own from about $1,455/mo
- All Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Introducing LeaseLens: how the rent-vs-buy math actually works
Common questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Old Town Alexandria?
The median 1-bedroom rents for about $2,350 a month, while owning a matched 1-bedroom runs about $2,435 a month all in (mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any HOA) at a typical price of $274,992.
How long until buying beats renting in Old Town Alexandria?
On current figures, buying pulls ahead of renting and investing the difference around year 4 for a matched 1-bedroom here.
How much cash do I need to buy in Old Town Alexandria?
About $60,498 covers a 20 percent down payment plus closing costs on a matched 1-bedroom. Lower down payment paths exist; this is the standard construction.
Can roommates buy together in Old Town Alexandria?
Splitting a 2-bedroom two ways runs about $1,656 per person each month, while qualifying for the same home solo takes roughly $104,000 of annual income at the standard 36 percent lender cap.
Run it on your actual lease
These figures describe a typical renter. Upload your lease and LeaseLens computes the same comparison on your real rent, income, and savings, then watches the market for you.
Analyze my leaseData updated September 14, 2026.
How these numbers are computed
Every figure comes from the same engine that powers the LeaseLens comparison, run over live inventory in 22314: rent medians from active rental listings, ownership costs from the engine's top-matched-homes construction, and the crossover year from its 30-year net worth projection. The reference buyer is a solo renter with good credit, a $100k income, 20 percent down, and cash covering the close. Your own lease and finances will move every number, which is what the full comparison is for.