DC vs. Virginia vs. Maryland: Where Should Hill Staff Live?

offers direct Metro rides from Arlington and Alexandria, often with more space. North Bethesda, Maryland, is a quieter option with a direct Red Line ride to Union Station.

Quick comparison

	Washington, DC	Northern Virginia	North Bethesda, MD
Typical commute	Walk to about 25 minutes	About 20–30 minutes from Arlington and Alexandria; longer from Fairfax County	About 30 minutes to Union Station
Best for	Short commutes, nightlife, walkability	Direct Orange, Silver and Blue Line rides, more space, affordable options	Senate staff, a calmer home base
Our neighborhoods	H Street, Navy Yard, Mt Vernon Triangle, Gallery Place, Columbia Heights	Ballston, Courthouse, Carlyle, Braddock, plus affordable communities in Arlington, Falls Church, Tysons, Herndon, Fairfax and Alexandria	Grosvenor-Strathmore

Living in DC

If you want to walk to work and be close to happy hours, receptions and late-night food, DC is hard to beat. From H Street and Navy Yard, many people walk to their office. Apartments in DC's busiest neighborhoods can be smaller, so look for smart layouts, like a studio with a separate sleeping area.

Living in Northern Virginia

Arlington's Ballston and Courthouse neighborhoods have direct Orange and Silver Line trains to Capitol South. Alexandria's Carlyle and Braddock neighborhoods are about 25 to 30 minutes away. Our established Virginia communities often have larger floor plans and renovated apartments, and select apartments include sunrooms. If you're on an entry-level salary, our affordable (LIHTC) communities in Northern Virginia are also worth a look.

Living in Maryland

North Bethesda offers a greener, quieter setting near the Music Center at Strathmore. The Red Line runs directly to Union Station, close to the Senate office buildings. It's a good option if you'd like more calm at home.

What practical differences should I know about?

Car registration. New DC residents have 60 days to register a vehicle with DC DMV. DC DMV also offers reciprocity permits for some people who keep their home-state registration, including members of Congress. Virginia and Maryland set their own rules, so check with their motor vehicle agencies.
Taxes. DC, Virginia and Maryland each have their own income tax rules. Where you live can affect what you owe, so check with each jurisdiction's tax office or a tax professional.
Parking. If you're bringing a car, ask each community about parking options and costs.
Pets. All of our market-rate communities are pet-friendly with no breed restrictions, in DC, Virginia and Maryland. Pet policies at our affordable communities vary by property.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or DC? It depends on the neighborhood and apartment. Compare specific apartments, and remember that our affordable communities in Northern Virginia offer income-restricted options. Make sure to also check for/ask about specials as you might see additional savings that way.

Can I live in Virginia and still have a short commute to the Capitol? Yes. Ballston and Courthouse have direct trains to Capitol South in about 20 to 25 minutes.

Do you offer flexible leases in all three areas? Our market-rate communities offer flexible lease terms that vary by property. Affordable communities offer 12-month leases.

Are there specials? Select properties may be running specials. Check each community's website.

Compare apartments

Watch video tours of our apartments in DC, Arlington, Alexandria, North Bethesda and our affordable communities. Each video's title includes the community's name. These are examples, and the specific apartments shown may not be available when you're searching. More video tours are on each property's website.

Visit our community search page to compare all of our communities in a list or map view.