| Index | Herndon | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 145 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 241 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 109 | 100 |
The cost of living in Herndon affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Herndon is 145, which is 45% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, 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 Herndon 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, Herndon falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Herndon cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 141.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Herndon. The feedback revealed that 43% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 57% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Herndon is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Herndon, for example, the median home price is 163.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 90% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Herndon boasting a median household income of $165,943, which is 104% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Herndon comes in at 3.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Herndon, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
The cost of living data for Herndon 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $202,419 | $16,868 | $4,723 | $6,073 |
| Renters | $129,266 | $10,772 | $3,016 | $3,878 |
| 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% |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Bull Run, VA | 17,295 | 118 | 17.6% |
| Yorkshire, VA | 9,373 | 120 | 20.1% |
| Sudley, VA | 18,730 | 123 | 22.7% |
| Herndon, VA | 25,119 | 145 | 44.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wilsonville, OR | 25,121 | 136 | 36.0% |
| Norfolk, NE | 25,122 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Loma Linda, CA | 25,144 | 140 | 39.9% |
| Norton Shores, MI | 25,151 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Palm River-Clair Mel, FL | 25,085 | 100 | 0.0% |
| Herndon, VA | 25,119 | 145 | 44.7% |
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