| Index | Fairfax | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 160 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 290 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 107 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 110 | 109 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Fairfax 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 Fairfax is 160, which is 60% 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 you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Fairfax may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Fairfax falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Fairfax, 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 189.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Fairfax affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Fairfax, the median home price is 231.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 92.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Fairfax boasting a median household income of $162,904, 100.3% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Fairfax, the housing index stands at 189.9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Fairfax starts at 5.3% and the income tax rates start at 2%.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Fairfax, healthcare costs are 1.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Fairfax shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $213,527 | $17,794 | $4,982 | $6,406 |
| Renters | $96,070 | $8,006 | $2,241 | $2,882 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA | 731 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA | 2,334 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Belle Haven town, VA | 578 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Marumsco, VA | 40,366 | 113 | 13.2% |
| Fairfax, VA | 24,037 | 160 | 59.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Watertown, WI | 24,039 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Moses Lake, WA | 24,055 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Venice, FL | 24,063 | 118 | 17.5% |
| Lisle, IL | 24,010 | 124 | 24.3% |
| Clayton, NC | 24,066 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Fairfax, VA | 24,037 | 160 | 59.7% |
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