McLean, VA vs Tysons, VA

The cost of living difference between McLean, VA and Tysons, VA is dramatic. Tysons is 49.2% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McLean has a cost index of 248 while Tysons sits at 166, 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 $2,478/month in Tysons — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tysons is more affordable at $640,500 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in McLean is $250,001 compared to $129,189 in Tysons (+93.5%). 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 23% in Tysons.