Why real estate taxes are going up in Arlington, but going down in Fairfax

April 30, 2026 - 22:27

Arlington and Fairfax County officials chose very different approaches when they finalized their fiscal year 2027 budgets. The Arlington County Board voted on April 22 to raise the real estate tax rate by 2 cents, bringing it to $1.053 per $100 of assessed value. This increase is meant to help fund the county's $1.7 billion spending plan. Meanwhile, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors went in the opposite direction, approving a reduction in their tax rate.

The decision in Arlington reflects growing pressure to pay for public services, including schools, infrastructure, and affordable housing programs. County leaders argued that the small increase was necessary to maintain current service levels without making deep cuts. Property owners in Arlington will see a higher tax bill, though the impact varies depending on how much a home's assessed value changed this year.

In Fairfax, the board chose to lower the rate, providing some relief to homeowners who have seen their property values climb sharply in recent years. The move was framed as a way to keep the overall tax burden from rising too fast. While Fairfax residents will pay a lower rate, their actual tax bills may still go up if their home values increased enough to offset the cut.

Both counties face similar challenges, including rising costs for personnel and growing demand for social services. But their budgets show that local leaders have different ideas about how much taxpayers should shoulder the load. The split also highlights the balancing act between funding public needs and keeping housing affordable in a region where home prices keep climbing.