Cost of Living in Dumfries, VA

With a cost of living index of 116, Dumfries, VA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 16% more expensive than the national average and 12% above the Virginia state average of 104. Dumfries is a smaller community of 5,749 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Dumfries's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,743 (32% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $303,700 (0% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.9x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Dumfries is $78,373, which is 4% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

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.