Centreville, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

The cost of living difference between Centreville, VA and Portsmouth, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 67% cheaper than Centreville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Centreville has a cost index of 153 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 Centreville is $2,238/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $565,900.

Median household income in Centreville is $143,704 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+143.7%). While Centreville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Centreville spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.