Fair Oaks, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

The cost of living difference between Fair Oaks, VA and Portsmouth, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 68.4% cheaper than Fair Oaks, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fair Oaks has a cost index of 154 while Portsmouth sits at 91, 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 Fair Oaks is $2,242/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $580,500.

Median household income in Fair Oaks is $119,387 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+102.4%). While Fair Oaks is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fair Oaks spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.