Bellwood, VA vs Fairfax, VA

The cost of living difference between Bellwood, VA and Fairfax, VA is dramatic. Bellwood is 46.6% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellwood has a cost index of 85 while Fairfax sits at 158, 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 Bellwood is $1,132/month compared to $2,122/month in Fairfax — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bellwood is more affordable at $192,600 median vs $677,400.

Median household income in Bellwood is $50,172 compared to $132,774 in Fairfax (-62.2%). While Fairfax is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellwood spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.2% in Fairfax.