Charlottesville, VA vs Fredericksburg, VA

Charlottesville is moderately more affordable than Fredericksburg, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Charlottesville scores 115 compared to 122 for Fredericksburg, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fredericksburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Charlottesville is $1,453/month compared to $1,521/month in Fredericksburg — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charlottesville is more affordable at $448,400 median vs $461,500.

Median household income in Charlottesville is $69,829 compared to $85,368 in Fredericksburg (-18.2%). While Fredericksburg is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charlottesville spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Fredericksburg.