McLean, VA vs Staunton, VA

The cost of living difference between McLean, VA and Staunton, VA is dramatic. Staunton is 201.2% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McLean has a cost index of 248 while Staunton sits at 82, 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 $993/month in Staunton — a 240% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Staunton is more affordable at $239,300 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in McLean is $250,001 compared to $62,586 in Staunton (+299.5%). 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 19% in Staunton.