Long Branch, VA vs Merrifield, VA

Long Branch is moderately more affordable than Merrifield, with a 12.6% lower cost of living index. Long Branch scores 140 compared to 161 for Merrifield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merrifield can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Long Branch is $1,233/month compared to $2,308/month in Merrifield — a 47% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Long Branch has cheaper rent, Merrifield actually has lower median home values ($637,600 vs $788,900).

Median household income in Long Branch is $180,833 compared to $136,173 in Merrifield (+32.8%). Long Branch offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Long Branch spend roughly 8.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in Merrifield.