Fredericksburg, VA vs McLean, VA

The cost of living difference between Fredericksburg, VA and McLean, VA is dramatic. Fredericksburg is 50.6% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fredericksburg has a cost index of 122 while McLean sits at 248, 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 Fredericksburg is $1,521/month compared to $3,376/month in McLean — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fredericksburg is more affordable at $461,500 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in Fredericksburg is $85,368 compared to $250,001 in McLean (-65.9%). While McLean is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fredericksburg spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in McLean.