Cost of Living in Falls Church, VA

Population 14,593 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

265
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in Falls Church sits 230% above the national median — $1 million for the typical home — but median household incomes near $154,734 (107% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Falls Church is part of the immediate Arlington metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 16% higher than Arlington's $865,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 330
Rent 168

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

About the Cost of Living in Falls Church

The median home value in Falls Church is $1,005,400 — 230% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,205/month, 68% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $154,734/year is 107% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, above 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 67.8°F and lows of 50.9°F, with about 13.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Falls Church has a cost of living index of 265 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 165% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$1,005,400
230% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$773,201
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,205/mo
68% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,468/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.0x
Favors renting
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 50.2%
Renter-occupied 49.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,205
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,819/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
30.7 min
14% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
30.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
51.6%
Carpooled
3.9%
Public transit
9.5%
Walked
3.0%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
30.5%

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
$154,734
107% above avg
Per Capita Income
$85,077
Unemployment Rate
6.3%
31% above avg
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor Force Participation
72.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.9%
Graduate degree 49.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 36.5
Female median age 42.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
67.8°F
Avg Low
50.9°F
Annual Precip
41.8"
Annual Snowfall
13.7"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 454857687785908881695849
Low °F 303239485868727164524235
Precip" 2.862.623.503.213.944.204.333.253.933.662.913.41
Snow" 4.95.02.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.11.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
59.5%
Good air days/yr
222
Max AQI recorded
216
PM2.5 days
130
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88.1%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
226
Public schools
191,535
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Falls Church, VA?

Falls Church has a cost index of 265 (100 = national average). It is 165% above the national average.

What is average rent in Falls Church, VA?

The median gross rent in Falls Church is $2,205 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Falls Church?

The median home value in Falls Church is $1,005,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Falls Church?

The median household income in Falls Church is $154,734 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Falls Church, VA?

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

Is Falls Church, VA affordable?

Falls Church is above average in cost of living, with an index of 265 — about 165% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Falls Church?

Falls Church has average high temperatures of 67.8°F and average lows of 50.9°F. Annual precipitation is 41.8". Average annual snowfall is 13.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Falls Church at a Glance

Population
14,593
Median Income
$154,734
Home Value
$1,005,400
Median Rent
$2,205/mo
Unemployment
6.3%
Avg High Temp
67.8°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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