Rows tagged local are specific to Fairfax Station (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).
School score: 8/10 (district Fairfax County Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
109.5
metro-area
#185 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
106.4
metro-area
#195 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.23
metro-area
#185 of 200 metros
Median household income
$211,000
local
#43 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$86,493
local
#113 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.05%
local
#1114 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+5.8%
local
#1170 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$816,100
local
#2979 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.9×
local
#1623 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-0.5%
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$408
local
#2826 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$2,580
local
#3063 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
17,423
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.5%
state
#153 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.73%
state
#16 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#168 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.01%
local
#1707 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$8,275
local
#2810 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#182 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#200 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$80
state
#134 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
3.97% of value (~$1,112/yr)
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
14
Avg commute to work
33 min
local
#2630 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#161 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$156
state
#161 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#135 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#166 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$103
state
#200 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#121 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#47 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#116 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
49
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,000
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
29°F
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
41.8"
metro-area
#99 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
13.7"
metro-area
#117 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
200
state
#200 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
state
#200 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
39
metro-area
#123 of 200 metros
Parks
44
Hiking areas
17
Golf courses
17
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
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.