Fairfax, VA vs Lake of the Woods, VA

The cost of living difference between Fairfax, VA and Lake of the Woods, VA is dramatic. Lake of the Woods is 31.3% cheaper than Fairfax, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairfax has a cost index of 158 while Lake of the Woods sits at 121, 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 Fairfax is $2,122/month compared to $1,690/month in Lake of the Woods — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake of the Woods is more affordable at $377,500 median vs $677,400.

Median household income in Fairfax is $132,774 compared to $112,917 in Lake of the Woods (+17.6%). The higher salaries in Fairfax partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Lake of the Woods.