πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,172 in Woodbridge, VA versus $3,366 in Ashburn, VA.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,452 in Woodbridge, VA versus $4,487 in Ashburn, VA.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,731 in Woodbridge, VA versus $5,608 in Ashburn, VA.
πLiving in Woodbridge, VA costs roughly 6% less than in Ashburn, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Woodbridge, VA137% above, Ashburn, VA151% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.30$24.30
$20.13$20.13
20.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.3$90.3
$81.1$81.1
11.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.95$10.95
$13.44$13.44
-18.53%
Cappuccino
$5.58$5.58
$5.96$5.96
-6.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94$2.94
$2.84$2.84
3.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65$2.65
$2.56$2.56
3.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.01$8.01
$6.60$6.60
21.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.78$8.78
$7.78$7.78
12.85%
π Groceries & Markets
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15$1.15
$1.12$1.12
2.68%
White Bread(500g)
$3.80$3.80
$3.47$3.47
9.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$6.96$6.96
$6.23$6.23
11.72%
Eggs
$4.16$4.16
$5.02$5.02
-17.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.11$19.11
$19.46$19.46
-1.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.10$15.10
$12.26$12.26
23.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$25.48$25.48
$22.04$22.04
15.61%
Apples(1kg)
$6.74$6.74
$5.62$5.62
19.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78$1.78
$1.76$1.76
1.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.07$5.07
$7.03$7.03
-27.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.50$6.50
$6.67$6.67
-2.55%
Potato(1kg)
$3.65$3.65
$3.61$3.61
1.11%
Onion(1kg)
$3.28$3.28
$2.82$2.82
16.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.30$2.30
$2.27$2.27
1.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.47$2.47
$2.48$2.48
-0.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.04$12.04
$8.10$8.10
48.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.79$15.79
$18.02$18.02
-12.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94$1.94
$1.76$1.76
10.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27$3.27
$3.84$3.84
-14.84%
π Getting Around
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.55$4.55
$2.21$2.21
105.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.35$20.35
$71.3$71.3
-71.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.91$3.91
$4.56$4.56
-14.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.36$1.36
$1.40$1.40
-2.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.74$24.74
$29.32$29.32
-15.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$0.89$0.89
-5.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K$30.4K
$26.8K$26.8K
13.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K$25.1K
$24.9K$24.9K
0.86%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$206$206
$211$211
-2.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.8$60.8
$63.1$63.1
-3.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.9$70.9
$67.1$67.1
5.74%
π Sport & Entertainment
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.30$49.30
$61.7$61.7
-20.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$12.16$12.16
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.15$15.15
$14.74$14.74
2.78%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,960$1,960
$1,697$1,697
15.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$35.7K$35.7K
$24.3K$24.3K
46.84%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2$56.2
$48.09$48.09
16.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.3$50.3
$49.14$49.14
2.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103$103
$97.7$97.7
5.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116$116
$144$144
-19.71%
π Accommodation & Living
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,100$2,100
$1,900$1,900
10.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,646$1,646
$1,797$1,797
-8.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,743$2,743
$4,169$4,169
-34.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,265$2,265
$2,248$2,248
0.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,631$2,631
$3,002$3,002
-12.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,222$4,222
$3,095$3,095
36.44%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Woodbridge, VA
Ashburn, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,664$4,664
$7,437$7,437
-37.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.48
6.57
-1.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Woodbridge, VA: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ashburn, VA: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,100 in Woodbridge, VA and $1,900 in Ashburn, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Ashburn, VA pays 59% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $90.0 in Woodbridge, VA vs $81.0 in Ashburn, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $505 vs $485 per month, with Ashburn, VA cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Woodbridge, VA vs Ashburn, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Woodbridge, VA and Ashburn, VA?
Woodbridge, VA and Ashburn, VA differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($3,172 vs $3,366 including rent). Woodbridge, VA is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Ashburn, VA earns 59% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Woodbridge, VA and Ashburn, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,100 in Woodbridge, VA versus $1,900 in Ashburn, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Woodbridge, VA and Ashburn, VA?
Childcare runs $1,960 in Woodbridge, VA versus $1,697 in Ashburn, VA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Ashburn, VA pay roughly 4% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is feasible on a $2,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Woodbridge, VA is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Woodbridge, VA and Ashburn, VA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Woodbridge, VA or Ashburn, VA?
Expats usually find Woodbridge, VA gentler on the wallet β expenses run 6% less than in Ashburn, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Woodbridge, VA vs other spots: cost of living compared