F
85%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
266%
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 Vienna Virginia National
Cost of living185109100
Goods & Services108100100
Groceries114101100
Health care11299100
Housing366130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities101104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Vienna, VA

Understanding the cost of living in Vienna 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 Vienna cost of living index is 185, which is 85% 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, Vienna 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, Vienna 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 Vienna 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 265.6% 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 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 Vienna, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 13.9% higher than the national average.

Is Vienna Affordable?

Is Vienna affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Vienna, for instance, where the median home price falls 321.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 135.5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Vienna flaunting a median household income of $168,269, 204.2% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Vienna?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Vienna, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Vienna, the transportation index is 0.5% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Vienna, the groceries index is 13.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Vienna cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 Vienna is 69% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Vienna is 85% higher than the national average
  • Vienna housing is 266% 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 Vienna

See all the best places to live around Vienna

Compare Vienna, 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$190,735$15,895$4,450$5,723
      Renters$73,936$6,161$1,725$2,218
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Vienna, 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 Vienna, the median monthly income is $190,735 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $4,450 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $73,936, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,725 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 Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna National avg. Difference
      Home Price $778,200.00$184,700.00321.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,870.08$2,346.6920.3%
      Apartment Rent $2,235.00$949.00135.5%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Vienna 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%
      Glassmanor, MD16,30511817.9%
      Vienna, VA16,53218584.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Roosevelt, NY16,52214140.7%
      New Port Richey, FL16,5428713.0%
      Morganton, NC16,517946.2%
      Lake Wales, FL16,515972.9%
      South Venice, FL16,5551066.1%
      Vienna, VA16,53218584.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.