Harrisonburg, VA vs McLean, VA

The cost of living difference between Harrisonburg, VA and McLean, VA is dramatic. Harrisonburg is 63.9% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Harrisonburg has a cost index of 90 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 Harrisonburg is $1,120/month compared to $3,376/month in McLean — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Harrisonburg is more affordable at $278,200 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in Harrisonburg is $59,752 compared to $250,001 in McLean (-76.1%). 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 Harrisonburg spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in McLean.