Cost of Living in Fairfax, VA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,370 (excluding rent), and $3,429 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,076 (excluding rent), and $6,396 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$10.79 $10.79

$44.16 $44.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$60.1 $60.1

$160 $160

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.89 $11.89

$8.92 $8.92

$13.87 $13.87

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$2.98 $2.98

$7.94 $7.94

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.97 $1.97

$2.97 $2.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$2.03 $2.03

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.11 $6.11

$3.05 $3.05

$10.18 $10.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$5.04 $5.04

$10.08 $10.08

Milk (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.54 $0.54

$1.21 $1.21

White Bread (500g)

$3.79 $3.79

$1.65 $1.65

$6.31 $6.31

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.24 $6.24

$2 $2

$7.92 $7.92

Eggs

$4.86 $4.86

$1.98 $1.98

$9.39 $9.39

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.58 $17.58

$8.1 $8.1

$22.01 $22.01

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.53 $12.53

$5.97 $5.97

$17.77 $17.77

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.33 $16.33

$8.64 $8.64

$21.83 $21.83

Apples (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.25 $2.25

$6.76 $6.76

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.09 $1.09

$4.45 $4.45

Oranges (1kg)

$5.25 $5.25

$2.22 $2.22

$11.12 $11.12

Tomato (1kg)

$6.6 $6.6

$2.89 $2.89

$7.77 $7.77

Potato (1kg)

$3.4 $3.4

$0.97 $0.97

$5.36 $5.36

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.01 $2.01

$6.65 $6.65

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.01 $1.01

$3.05 $3.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.18 $1.18

$3.92 $3.92

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.6 $10.6

$7.31 $7.31

$19.77 $19.77

Wine (Bottle)

$14.99 $14.99

$7.99 $7.99

$24.98 $24.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.72 $1.72

$4.26 $4.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.67 $4.67

$2.45 $2.45

$10.2 $10.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.08 $5.08

$2.03 $2.03

$6.86 $6.86

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.74 $44.74

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.47 $2.47

$4.94 $4.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$4.44 $4.44

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.17 $22.17

$59.1 $59.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.8 $0.8

$1.05 $1.05

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.8K $29.8K

$23.5K $23.5K

$36.1K $36.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

$28.5K $28.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$211 $211

$101 $101

$312 $312

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$59.9 $59.9

$30.1 $30.1

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.7 $72.7

$39.82 $39.82

$99.6 $99.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$109 $109

$50.1 $50.1

$150 $150

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.82 $24.82

Cinema Ticket

$14.93 $14.93

$17.92 $17.92

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

$1,776 $1,776

$1,015 $1,015

$2,030 $2,030

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.1K $31.1K

$24.2K $24.2K

$32K $32K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.2 $54.2

$36.91 $36.91

$89.7 $89.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50 $50

$19.92 $19.92

$84.7 $84.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.1 $98.1

$60.7 $60.7

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$74.4 $74.4

$248 $248

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,277 $2,277

$2,039 $2,039

$2,549 $2,549

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,881 $1,881

$1,594 $1,594

$2,192 $2,192

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,749 $3,749

$3,042 $3,042

$5,070 $5,070

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,914 $2,914

$2,629 $2,629

$3,306 $3,306

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,497 $5,497

$3,736 $3,736

$7,259 $7,259

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,172 $4,172

$3,294 $3,294

$5,050 $5,050

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,113 $6,113

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Fairfax, VA - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Fairfax, VA, United States places a premium on housing and services, reflecting its proximity to the DC metro area. If you value safety, schools, and reliable infrastructure, many expats and long-term visitors find the higher baseline worth it for the access and quality of life. For a short stay or scouting trip, look for flexible leases or coworking passes to manage expenses while you evaluate neighborhoods. You’ll often find value where transit reduces car needs and everyday conveniences are within easy reach. Tip: map your essential monthly costs and test two or three areas before committing.

Daily life in Fairfax centers on solid neighborhoods, reliable transit options, and a practical mix of shops and parks. Housing spans apartment buildings, townhomes, and single-family homes, with choices influenced by proximity to schools and transit. Food options range from farmers markets to diverse grocery stores and casual eateries. Public transit and ride-share options help reduce car use, while bike lanes and trails support active living. If you work remotely, coworking spaces and libraries offer quiet work zones and reliable Wi-Fi. Fairfax, VA, United States living cost is a useful lens to compare neighborhoods. Tip: take weekend tours to compare vibe and value.

A practical approach is to balance housing, transit, and leisure with a budgeting framework you can stick to. Consider a simple zero-based plan or a flexible 50/30/20 framework: assign needs first, then discretionary spending, and set aside savings. Neighborhood fit matters – walkable centers near parks or quieter pockets with easy transit to DC can cut transport and lifestyle costs over time. Seasonality affects comfort costs and activities; plan for heavier cooling in summer and insulation needs in winter. Tip: start with a short-term stay in a few areas to test pace, vibe, and price before committing.