Chantilly, VA vs Charlottesville, VA

The cost of living difference between Chantilly, VA and Charlottesville, VA is dramatic. Charlottesville is 37.6% cheaper than Chantilly, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chantilly has a cost index of 159 while Charlottesville sits at 115, 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 Chantilly is $2,260/month compared to $1,453/month in Charlottesville — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charlottesville is more affordable at $448,400 median vs $633,900.

Median household income in Chantilly is $143,786 compared to $69,829 in Charlottesville (+105.9%). While Chantilly is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chantilly spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25% in Charlottesville.