Cost of Living in Apple Mountain Lake, VA

With a cost of living index of 120, Apple Mountain Lake, VA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 20% more expensive than the national average and 15% above the Virginia state average of 104. Apple Mountain Lake is a small community of 1,801 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Apple Mountain Lake's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,675 (27% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $370,600 (22% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.9x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Apple Mountain Lake is $127,321, which is 69% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 16% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.