Counties › Virginia

Cost of Living in Fairfax County, VA

Population 1,147,837 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$2,276
Median home value$732,800
Median household income$153,637

The median rent in Fairfax County, VA is $2,276/month, 44% higher than the Virginia median and 61% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $732,800, 120% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $153,637 a year, 65% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 17.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $91,040/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.8×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $3,705/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Fairfax County vs. Virginia vs. U.S.

Fairfax CountyVirginiaU.S.
Median rent$2,276$1,579$1,413
Median home value$732,800$383,700$332,700
Median household income$153,637$93,170$80,734
Homeownership rate68.6%67.3%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher65.0%42.2%35.7%
Poverty rate5.9%9.9%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.2%4.3%5.2%
Work from home28.7%18.3%15.1%
Median age39.139.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Fairfax County, VA?

The median gross rent in Fairfax County, VA is $2,276 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Fairfax County, VA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $91,040 a year in gross income.

Is Fairfax County, VA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 61% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.8 times the median household income.

Other counties in Virginia

Prince William County, VARent $2,067 · Income $131,402Virginia Beach city, VARent $1,714 · Income $92,968Loudoun County, VARent $2,386 · Income $181,765Chesterfield County, VARent $1,629 · Income $101,931Henrico County, VARent $1,541 · Income $88,783Chesapeake city, VARent $1,586 · Income $95,373

Counties with a similar cost of living

Nassau County, NYRent $2,252 · Income $146,202Douglas County, CORent $2,193 · Income $149,594Howard County, MDRent $2,099 · Income $149,763Nantucket County, MARent $2,213 · Income $139,688Forsyth County, GARent $2,090 · Income $143,784Suffolk County, NYRent $2,255 · Income $130,686

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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