Leesburg, VA vs McLean, VA

The cost of living difference between Leesburg, VA and McLean, VA is dramatic. Leesburg is 39.8% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Leesburg has a cost index of 149 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 Leesburg is $1,980/month compared to $3,376/month in McLean — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Leesburg is more affordable at $617,700 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in Leesburg is $140,668 compared to $250,001 in McLean (-43.7%). 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 Leesburg spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in McLean.