Chantilly, VA vs Fort Belvoir, VA

Chantilly, VA and Fort Belvoir, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Chantilly scores 159 while Fort Belvoir scores 156 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 Chantilly is $2,260/month compared to $3,212/month in Fort Belvoir — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chantilly has cheaper rent, Fort Belvoir actually has lower median home values ($244,400 vs $633,900).

Median household income in Chantilly is $143,786 compared to $101,237 in Fort Belvoir (+42%). 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 38.1% in Fort Belvoir. The Chantilly ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.