Rows tagged local are specific to Fairfax (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Washington, DC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
109.5
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
106.4
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.23
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$128,708
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$61,928
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.68%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.8%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$649,600
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.0×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
-0.5%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$325
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,972
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
17,423
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.0%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
10.75%
Capital gains tax
10.75%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.94%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$6,115
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$26,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$155
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
14
Avg commute to work
29 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
25.4¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$229
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$3.40/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$271
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
49
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,000
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
88°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
29°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
41.8"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
13.7"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,000
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
4,200
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
39
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
44
Hiking areas
17
Golf courses
17
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.