Dunn Loring, VA vs Merrimac, VA

The cost of living difference between Dunn Loring, VA and Merrimac, VA is dramatic. Merrimac is 210.8% cheaper than Dunn Loring, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dunn Loring has a cost index of 221 while Merrimac sits at 71, 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 Dunn Loring is $3,501/month compared to $1,099/month in Merrimac — a 219% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrimac is more affordable at $73,400 median vs $935,000.

Median household income in Dunn Loring is $236,563 compared to $55,202 in Merrimac (+328.5%). While Dunn Loring is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dunn Loring spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Merrimac.