| Index | McLean | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 228 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 519 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 106 | 109 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in McLean 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 McLean is 228, which is 128% 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're in pursuit of an economical living environment, McLean may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, McLean falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the McLean 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 419.5% 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 McLean 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 McLean, the median home price is 497.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 238.2% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in McLean come in at $327,457, which is 302.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In McLean, the transportation index is 4% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
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 McLean, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
The cost of living data for McLean 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 | $360,992 | $30,083 | $8,423 | $10,831 |
| Renters | $177,543 | $14,795 | $4,142 | $5,327 |
| 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% |
| Cottage City, MD | 1,193 | 105 | 5.5% |
| McLean, VA | 49,909 | 228 | 128.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 49,889 | 178 | 77.9% |
| Beaumont, CA | 49,877 | 132 | 31.6% |
| Bozeman, MT | 49,943 | 128 | 28.2% |
| Newark, CA | 49,971 | 195 | 95.1% |
| Tuckahoe, VA | 49,974 | 123 | 22.8% |
| McLean, VA | 49,909 | 228 | 128.4% |
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