F
58%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
189%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Burke Virginia National
Cost of living158111100
Groceries103103100
Health care102103100
Housing289129100
Transportation102105100
Utilities101104100
Lifestyle & Entertainment100103100
Household Items100102100
Education & Childcare108109100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Burke, VA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Burke is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Burke is 158, which is 58% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Burke is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Burke falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Burke, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 189% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Burke Affordable?

Is Burke an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Burke, the median home price is 205.9% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 149.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Burke come in at $226,476, which is 178.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Burke?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Burke, healthcare costs are 2.1% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Burke, the transportation index is 1.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Burke cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Burke is 42% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Burke is 58% higher than the national average
  • Burke housing is 189% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Burke

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Compare Burke, VA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$232,189$19,349$5,417$6,966
      Renters$148,105$12,342$3,456$4,444
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Burke, VA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Burke homeowners, is $232,189. This would allow for a maximum of $5,417 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $148,105 which would result in a maximum of $3,456 to be spent on rental costs.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA7318911.0%
      Potomac Heights, MD1,2959010.5%
      Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA2,3348911.3%
      Wakefield town, VA838928.4%
      Belle Haven town, VA578991.4%
      Burke, VA45,55315858.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Brea, CA45,63717878.4%
      Wake Forest, NC45,64811616.5%
      Blacksburg, VA45,40211919.1%
      Ashburn, VA45,71714949.3%
      Sayreville, NJ45,37012525.1%
      Burke, VA45,55315858.3%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.