Fair Oaks, VA vs Mount Vernon, VA

Fair Oaks, VA and Mount Vernon, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Fair Oaks scores 154 while Mount Vernon scores 152 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 Fair Oaks is $2,242/month compared to $1,643/month in Mount Vernon — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Vernon has cheaper rent, Fair Oaks actually has lower median home values ($580,500 vs $779,800).

Median household income in Fair Oaks is $119,387 compared to $156,875 in Mount Vernon (-23.9%). Mount Vernon offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fair Oaks spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Mount Vernon.