Fairfax, VA vs Purcellville, VA

Purcellville is moderately more affordable than Fairfax, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Fairfax scores 158 compared to 150 for Purcellville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fairfax can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfax is $2,122/month compared to $2,086/month in Purcellville — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Purcellville is more affordable at $594,000 median vs $677,400.

Median household income in Fairfax is $132,774 compared to $162,981 in Purcellville (-18.5%). Purcellville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfax spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Purcellville.