McLean, VA vs West Falls Church, VA

The cost of living difference between McLean, VA and West Falls Church, VA is dramatic. West Falls Church is 57.5% cheaper than McLean, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. McLean has a cost index of 248 while West Falls Church sits at 157, 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 $2,140/month in West Falls Church — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Falls Church is more affordable at $658,700 median vs $1,304,900.

Median household income in McLean is $250,001 compared to $131,236 in West Falls Church (+90.5%). 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 19.6% in West Falls Church.