Ashburn, VA vs Merrifield, VA

Ashburn, VA and Merrifield, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Ashburn scores 165 while Merrifield scores 161 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashburn is $2,397/month compared to $2,308/month in Merrifield — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrifield is more affordable at $637,600 median vs $659,000.

Median household income in Ashburn is $152,094 compared to $136,173 in Merrifield (+11.7%). While Ashburn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashburn spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in Merrifield.