Colonial Heights, VA vs McLean, VA

The cost of living difference between Colonial Heights, VA and McLean, VA is dramatic. Colonial Heights is 64.2% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Colonial Heights has a cost index of 89 while McLean sits at 248, 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 Colonial Heights is $1,162/month compared to $3,376/month in McLean — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Colonial Heights is more affordable at $231,700 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in Colonial Heights is $76,250 compared to $250,001 in McLean (-69.5%). While McLean is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Colonial Heights spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in McLean.