| Index | George Mason | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 159 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 287 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 106 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 107 | 109 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in George Mason? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in George Mason stands at 159, making it 59% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in George Mason is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, George Mason falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the George Mason cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 186.5% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is George Mason 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 George Mason, the median home price is 223.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 100.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with George Mason boasting a median household income of $185,212, 127.7% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In George Mason, the healthcare costs are 3.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In George Mason, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and income tax rates kick off at 2%.
The George Mason 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $195,804 | $16,317 | $4,568 | $5,875 |
| Renters | $75,674 | $6,306 | $1,766 | $2,270 |
| 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% |
| George Mason, VA | 10,252 | 159 | 59.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Shelburne, ON | 10,249 | n/a | |
| Alfred and Plantagenet, ON | 10,255 | n/a | |
| River Grove, IL | 10,246 | 102 | 2.4% |
| Paris, TN | 10,260 | 86 | 13.7% |
| Wabash, IN | 10,243 | 84 | 15.7% |
| George Mason, VA | 10,252 | 159 | 59.0% |
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