Fairfax, VA vs Fort Lee, VA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, VA and Fort Lee, VA is dramatic. Fort Lee is 38.3% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 158 while Fort Lee sits at 114, 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.

Renters will find that Fairfax has a median rent of $2,122/month while Fort Lee comes in at $1,813/month, a 17% difference.

Median household income in Fairfax is $132,774 compared to $81,105 in Fort Lee (+63.7%). While Fairfax is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Fort Lee.