McLean, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

The cost of living difference between McLean, VA and Portsmouth, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 171% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McLean has a cost index of 248 while Portsmouth sits at 91, 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 McLean is $3,376/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 167% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in McLean is $250,001 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+323.9%). 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 McLean spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.