Cost of Living in Dumfries, VA

Population 5,749 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dumfries sits on the smaller end of the Virginia city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Dumfries sits roughly 20 miles southwest of Alexandria — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 56% lower than Alexandria's $697,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 133

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Dumfries

The median home value in Dumfries is $303,700 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,743/month, 33% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,373/year is 5% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 5.6%. The climate averages highs of 67.1°F and lows of 49.1°F, with about 12.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Dumfries has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$303,700
0% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$590,557
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,743/mo
33% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,578/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$970
1 BR
$989
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,645
4 BR
$1,885
Owner-occupied 76.5%
Renter-occupied 23.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,743
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,357/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
39.2 min
45% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.5%
Carpooled
18.4%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
16.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 5.6%
State rate 4.3%
Avg local rate 1.3%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$78,373
5% above avg
Per Capita Income
$27,256
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Labor Force Participation
72.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.9%
Graduate degree 3.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.3
Male median age 25.6
Female median age 38.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
67.1°F
Avg Low
49.1°F
Annual Precip
41"
Annual Snowfall
12.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 454856687684888680695849
Low °F 283037475766716962503932
Precip" 2.662.363.583.163.633.534.644.243.433.333.143.33
Snow" 3.55.81.40.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.01.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
90.1%
Good air days/yr
129
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
361
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dumfries, VA?

Dumfries has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Dumfries, VA?

The median gross rent in Dumfries is $1,743 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dumfries?

The median home value in Dumfries is $303,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Dumfries?

The median household income in Dumfries is $78,373 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dumfries, VA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Dumfries is 5.6%. The Virginia state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Dumfries, VA affordable?

Dumfries is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Dumfries?

Dumfries has average high temperatures of 67.1°F and average lows of 49.1°F. Annual precipitation is 41". Average annual snowfall is 12.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Dumfries at a Glance

Population
5,749
Median Income
$78,373
Home Value
$303,700
Median Rent
$1,743/mo
Unemployment
4.6%
Avg High Temp
67.1°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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