F
48%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
143%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Annandale Virginia National
Cost of living148109100
Goods & Services108100100
Groceries114101100
Health care11299100
Housing243130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities101104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Annandale, VA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Annandale 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 Annandale is 148, which is 48% 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 Annandale 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, Annandale falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Annandale, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 143.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Annandale, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 13.9% higher than the national average.

Is Annandale Affordable?

Wondering if Annandale 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 Annandale, for example, the median home price is 172.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 76.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Annandale boasting a median household income of $101,121, which is 82.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Annandale?

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Annandale, the utilities index registers 1% 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.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Annandale, the housing index comes in at 143.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Annandale cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Annandale is 36% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Annandale is 48% higher than the national average
  • Annandale housing is 143% 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 Annandale

See all the best places to live around Annandale

Compare Annandale, VA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$133,405$11,117$3,113$4,003
      Renters$54,705$4,559$1,276$1,641
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Annandale, VA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Annandale, the median monthly income is $133,405 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,113 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $54,705, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,276 on monthly rental expenses.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Annandale National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.62$24.2623.3%
      Beauty Salon $35.20$45.5622.7%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.7%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.285.0%
      Movie $11.20$12.137.7%
      Bowling $19.22$18.006.8%

      Groceries

      Item Annandale National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.49$5.846.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.37$1.5713.0%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.3%
      Potatoes $4.76$4.933.5%
      Pizza $12.47$12.093.2%
      Beer $10.83$10.414.1%

      Health Care

      Item Annandale National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $109.25$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $94.10$135.7830.7%
      Dentist $109.57$113.293.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.51$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $487.97$468.604.1%

      Housing

      Item Annandale National avg. Difference
      Home Price $502,900.00$184,700.00172.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,870.08$2,346.6920.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,673.00$949.0076.3%

      Transportation

      Item Annandale National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.29$3.464.9%
      Tire Balancing $62.25$59.923.9%

      Utilities

      Item Annandale National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $248.70$193.9928.2%
      Phone $185.37$192.253.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA708927.8%
      Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA2,247945.9%
      Wakefield town, VA810954.6%
      Belle Haven town, VA5621022.0%
      Cottage City, MD1,1501088.4%
      Annandale, VA42,24014848.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Odenton, MD42,25812928.7%
      North Fort Myers, FL42,315928.1%
      West Babylon, NY42,31614039.6%
      Pine Bluff, AR42,3238514.7%
      Linden, NJ42,33212120.8%
      Annandale, VA42,24014848.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.