McLean, VA vs Salem, VA

The cost of living difference between McLean, VA and Salem, VA is dramatic. Salem is 195.9% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McLean has a cost index of 248 while Salem sits at 84, 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 $1,046/month in Salem — a 223% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Salem is more affordable at $244,800 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in McLean is $250,001 compared to $66,716 in Salem (+274.7%). 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 McLean spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Salem.