Gretna, VA vs Melfa, VA

Gretna, VA and Melfa, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Gretna scores 72 while Melfa scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gretna is $850/month compared to $836/month in Melfa — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Melfa has cheaper rent, Gretna actually has lower median home values ($140,900 vs $159,700).

Median household income in Gretna is $36,023 compared to $28,250 in Melfa (+27.5%). Gretna offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gretna spend roughly 28.3% of their income on rent, less than the 35.5% in Melfa. The Gretna ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.