F
74%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
231%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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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 Fairfax Station Virginia National
Cost of living174109100
Goods & Services108100100
Groceries114101100
Health care11299100
Housing331130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities101104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fairfax Station, VA

Understanding the cost of living in Fairfax Station can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Fairfax Station cost of living index is 174, which is 74% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Fairfax Station 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 Station falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Fairfax Station 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 231.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Fairfax Station is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.9% above the national average.

Is Fairfax Station Affordable?

Wondering if Fairfax Station 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 Fairfax Station, for example, the median home price is 269.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 141.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fairfax Station boasting a median household income of $179,651, which is 224.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fairfax Station?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower 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 Fairfax Station, the housing index comes in at 231.3% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Fairfax Station, the groceries index is 13.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Fairfax Station 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 Fairfax Station is 60% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Fairfax Station is 74% higher than the national average
  • Fairfax Station housing is 231% 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 Fairfax Station

See all the best places to live around Fairfax Station

Compare Fairfax Station, 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$186,684$15,557$4,356$5,601
      Renters$58,403$4,867$1,363$1,752
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Fairfax Station, VA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Fairfax Station have a median income of $186,684. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $4,356 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $58,403, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,363.

      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 Fairfax Station 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 Fairfax Station 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 Fairfax Station 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 Fairfax Station National avg. Difference
      Home Price $682,800.00$184,700.00269.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,870.08$2,346.6920.3%
      Apartment Rent $2,293.00$949.00141.6%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Fairfax Station 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%
      Potomac Heights, MD1,247936.5%
      Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA2,247945.9%
      Wakefield town, VA810954.6%
      Indian Head, MD3,80311615.6%
      Fairfax Station, VA12,36417474.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Larkspur, CA12,363258157.7%
      Lakeland Village, CA12,36212928.6%
      Urbana, MD12,36215756.9%
      Winnetka, IL12,361215115.5%
      Wellesley, ON12,358n/a 
      Fairfax Station, VA12,36417474.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.