Ashburn, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

The cost of living difference between Ashburn, VA and Portsmouth, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 80.6% cheaper than Ashburn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ashburn has a cost index of 165 while Portsmouth sits at 91, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashburn is $2,397/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 89% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $659,000.

Median household income in Ashburn is $152,094 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+157.9%). 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 25.8% in Portsmouth.