Charlottesville, VA vs Glen Allen, VA

Charlottesville, VA and Glen Allen, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Charlottesville scores 115 while Glen Allen scores 114 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 Charlottesville is $1,453/month compared to $1,719/month in Glen Allen — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Charlottesville has cheaper rent, Glen Allen actually has lower median home values ($338,000 vs $448,400).

Median household income in Charlottesville is $69,829 compared to $96,085 in Glen Allen (-27.3%). Glen Allen offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Charlottesville spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Glen Allen.