Chatham, VA vs Hayfield, VA

The cost of living difference between Chatham, VA and Hayfield, VA is dramatic. Chatham is 58.2% cheaper than Hayfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 80 while Hayfield sits at 191, 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 Chatham is $1,028/month compared to $3,277/month in Hayfield — a 69% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatham is more affordable at $168,100 median vs $653,700.

Median household income in Chatham is $54,485 compared to $192,813 in Hayfield (-71.7%). While Hayfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in Hayfield.