Cost of Living in Manassas, VA

Population 42,674 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

141
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

A 36-minute average commute puts Manassas squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $435,000 reflect that spatial discount.

Manassas sits roughly 20 miles west of Alexandria — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Alexandria's $697,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 143
Rent 140

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

About the Cost of Living in Manassas

The median home value in Manassas is $434,700 — 43% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,835/month, 40% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $117,919/year is 58% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, 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 66.0°F and lows of 45.3°F, with about 21" of annual snowfall. Overall, Manassas has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$434,700
43% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$549,185
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,835/mo
40% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,158/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7x
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 72.2%
Renter-occupied 27.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,835
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,449/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
36.4 min
35% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.4%
Carpooled
13.1%
Public transit
2.3%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
12.4%

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
$117,919
58% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,939
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
31% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor Force Participation
72.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.0%
Graduate degree 12.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.7
Male median age 34.1
Female median age 35.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
66.0°F
Avg Low
45.3°F
Annual Precip
43.2"
Annual Snowfall
21"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 434655677583888679685747
Low °F 252734435362676558453629
Precip" 2.942.613.503.474.724.304.153.533.943.653.133.30
Snow" 6.97.03.90.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.32.8

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87.7%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
106
Public schools
100,026
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Manassas, VA?

Manassas has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.

What is average rent in Manassas, VA?

The median gross rent in Manassas is $1,835 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Manassas?

The median home value in Manassas is $434,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Manassas?

The median household income in Manassas is $117,919 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Manassas, VA?

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

Is Manassas, VA affordable?

Manassas is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Manassas?

Manassas has average high temperatures of 66.0°F and average lows of 45.3°F. Annual precipitation is 43.2". Average annual snowfall is 21". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Manassas at a Glance

Population
42,674
Median Income
$117,919
Home Value
$434,700
Median Rent
$1,835/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Avg High Temp
66.0°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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