Trying to decide whether your next home should be in Fort Hunt or Old Town Alexandria? Your budget will buy very different things in each. If you value interior space and a yard, Fort Hunt generally stretches further. If you want a walkable, historic setting, Old Town commands a premium. In this guide, you’ll see a clear, numbers-first comparison of price, space, and ongoing costs, plus tips to match the neighborhood to your lifestyle. Let’s dive in.
Price and space at a glance
Recent market snapshots show a clear cost gap between the two areas. Fort Hunt’s median list price is about $980,000 with a median $398 per square foot, while Old Town’s median list price is around $1,400,000 with a median $674 per square foot. You can review the latest figures in the Fort Hunt and Old Town market reports from RocketHomes.
- Fort Hunt market snapshot: median price and $/sq ft
- Old Town market snapshot: median price and $/sq ft
Using those per-square-foot anchors, a $1,000,000 budget buys roughly 2,512 sq ft in Fort Hunt versus about 1,484 sq ft in Old Town. That size difference reflects each area’s makeup: Fort Hunt skews detached single-family homes on larger lots, while Old Town has many condos, townhomes, and historic rowhouses in a denser, more walkable setting.
Ownership costs beyond price
Price is only part of the budget story. Property taxes, city fees, HOA or condo dues, insurance, and flood risk can shift your monthly and annual costs.
Property taxes and city fees
Tax rates are similar, but City of Alexandria adds typical stormwater and refuse fees that can increase total costs at the same assessed value.
- Fairfax County real estate tax (2025): $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value. See the county’s current rate page for details: Fairfax County tax rates.
- City of Alexandria real estate tax (FY2026): $1.135 per $100 plus typical city fees such as stormwater (about $324/year) and refuse (about $500 per can/year, billed with taxes). See the city’s rate page: Alexandria tax rates and fees.
Sample annual property tax math by assessed value:
- $750,000 assessed
- Fairfax County: about $8,418.75/yr.
- City of Alexandria: about $8,512.50/yr, plus stormwater and any refuse fees.
- $1,000,000 assessed
- Fairfax County: about $11,225/yr.
- City of Alexandria: about $11,350/yr, plus stormwater and any refuse fees.
- $1,500,000 assessed
- Fairfax County: about $16,837.50/yr.
- City of Alexandria: about $17,025/yr, plus stormwater and any refuse fees.
Note: Taxes are based on assessed value, which can differ from your purchase price.
HOA and condo dues
- Old Town: Many condos and some townhomes carry monthly HOA or condo fees that vary by building and amenities. Build those into your monthly affordability.
- Fort Hunt: Most homes are fee-simple single-family properties with few or no mandatory association dues. Some subdivisions have optional civic associations with minimal dues.
Flood risk and insurance
Both areas include river-adjacent blocks that may fall within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Always verify a property’s flood zone, past claims, and insurance requirements.
- Check any address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
- Review Alexandria’s updated mapping and guidance on the City flood map page.
Commute and daily life
These areas sit close together, yet feel different day to day. Fort Hunt is roughly 5 to 6 miles from Old Town’s King Street area, depending on start and end points. See an example route on this distance reference. Fort Hunt living often means a quick drive to Huntington Metro for Yellow Line access, scenic drives along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and weekend time at Fort Hunt Park. Old Town offers car-optional convenience with shops, dining, and waterfront activities such as the city’s waterfront programming.
What lifestyle each area suits
Here is a quick decision aid to match priorities to place.
Consider Fort Hunt if you want:
- More interior space for the budget and larger yards.
- Predominantly single-family homes and quieter streets.
- Suburban convenience with easy access to parkland and the Parkway.
Consider Old Town if you want:
- Walkable access to dining, retail, the waterfront, and transit.
- A mix of condos, townhomes, and historic rowhouses.
- Lower maintenance living with building amenities, understanding HOA or condo fees.
How to choose with confidence
Use this simple checklist to compare options apples to apples.
- Define your must-haves: interior square footage, outdoor space, parking, and commute.
- Compare price per square foot using current market snapshots for each area.
- Run full monthly costs: mortgage, property taxes, any city fees, HOA or condo dues, plus estimated insurance.
- Verify flood zone status and request any elevation certificates or prior-claim info.
- If looking in Old Town, review HOA or condo budgets, reserves, and rules.
- Tour at different times to gauge parking, noise, and travel times.
When you weigh space against location and ongoing costs, Fort Hunt usually stretches your dollars further, while Old Town rewards you with immediate access to amenities and transit. If you want a side-by-side analysis for your budget and wish list, connect with Adrianna Vallario for local guidance and a clear plan.
FAQs
How far apart are Fort Hunt and Old Town?
- They are roughly 5 to 6 miles apart depending on your start and end points, with travel times that vary by traffic; see an example route on this distance reference.
What are the property tax differences?
- Fairfax County’s 2025 rate is about $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value, while the City of Alexandria’s FY2026 rate is about $1.135 per $100 plus stormwater and refuse fees; see the county tax rates and the city tax rates and fees.
How much space does $1M buy in each area?
- Using current median $/sq ft, about 2,512 sq ft in Fort Hunt and about 1,484 sq ft in Old Town; review the latest Fort Hunt snapshot and Old Town snapshot.
Do I need flood insurance in Fort Hunt or Old Town?
- It depends on the property’s FEMA flood zone and your lender; verify each address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and review local guidance on the Alexandria flood map page.
How do HOA or condo fees affect affordability in Old Town?
- Many Old Town condos and some townhomes include monthly dues that cover maintenance and amenities; add these to your monthly budget and review the building’s financials before you buy.
