Cost of living in Fairfax

Fairfax, Virginia, is a vibrant city known for its rich history and proximity to Washington, D.C. Understanding the cost of living in Fairfax is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in the area.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.

An image showcasing the beauty of Fairfax

People enjoying the surroundings of Fairfax

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $25 on average, with a range between $16 and $40.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $100, with prices ranging from $65 to $180.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's)A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $12, with a range between $8 and $15.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi)Domestic beer ranges from $3 to $7, imported beer $5 to $12, cappuccino $4 to $10, and Coke/Pepsi $1.99 to $3.

Grocery Prices

MilkMilk is priced between $0.53 and $2 per liter, averaging $1.07.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.62 and $6.61, with an average price of $3.71.
Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs range from $2 to $6, averaging $3.15.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges)Apples cost $2.2 to $8.8 per kg, while oranges range from $2.76 to $11.02 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce)Potatoes are priced between $1.65 and $7 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.99 to $3 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs between $2 and $5, with a monthly pass priced at $45.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $0.78 and $1.02 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $2.5, with a cost of $1.55 to $4.35 per km and $22.5 to $60 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1750 to $2200, averaging $1983.33.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1600 to $2000, averaging $1783.33.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $3000 to $5000, averaging $3872.5.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2650 to $3333, averaging $3020.75.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $3767.37.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $3229.17.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $309.09, averaging $185.63.
InternetInternet services range from $40 to $100, with an average cost of $71.66.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 41 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$25.00

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$100.00

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$12.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.00

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13

Cappuccino (regular)

$5.28

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.07

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$3.71

Eggs (regular) (12)

$3.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.69

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.20

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$14.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.50

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$10.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.22

Apples (1kg)

$5.40

Oranges (1kg)

$5.13

Potato (1kg)

$3.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25

Rice (white), (1kg)

$3.93

Tomato (1kg)

$6.06

Banana (1kg)

$1.88

Onion (1kg)

$2.75

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$14.48

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$5.00

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$35,699.74

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.50

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$1.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.50

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$26,321.74

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,732.59

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.66%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$1,750.00

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$30,776.00

Worldwide

United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025

Full Cost of Living Rankings

Overview Job Market

Affordability

Very Affordable

About this index

Virginia Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Fairfax offers a relatively high cost of living, particularly in housing and dining. However, public transportation and utilities are moderately priced.
Prospective residents should budget carefully for housing and dining, while exploring cost-saving options in groceries and transportation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, living in Fairfax, VA, requires a well-planned budget, especially for housing and dining expenses.

While the city offers a high standard of living with its proximity to Washington, D.C., potential residents should consider all aspects of the cost of living to ensure financial comfort.

Fairfax