Charlottesville, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Portsmouth is 26.3% cheaper than Charlottesville. With a cost index of 91 vs 115, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Portsmouth to Charlottesville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charlottesville is $1,453/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $448,400.

Median household income in Charlottesville is $69,829 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+18.4%). The higher salaries in Charlottesville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Charlottesville spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.