Cost of Living in Oakton, VA

Population 36,776 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

224
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Oakton run well above the national baseline, with a median of $777,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $163,662 place the city among the better-paid Virginia metros. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.4% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 11 miles west of Arlington, Oakton falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Arlington's $865,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 255
Rent 178

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

About the Cost of Living in Oakton

The median home value in Oakton is $776,700 — 155% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,333/month, 78% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $163,662/year is 119% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.4%, 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, Oakton has a cost of living index of 224 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 124% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$776,700
155% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,082,625
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,333/mo
78% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.7x
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 67.5%
Renter-occupied 32.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,333
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,947/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
33.1 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
30.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
51.1%
Carpooled
7.1%
Public transit
8.1%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
30.7%

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
$163,662
119% above avg
Per Capita Income
$81,608
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
50% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 34.7%
Graduate degree 40.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40
Male median age 38.7
Female median age 40.8

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Oakton, VA?

Oakton has a cost index of 224 (100 = national average). It is 124% above the national average.

What is average rent in Oakton, VA?

The median gross rent in Oakton is $2,333 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Oakton?

The median home value in Oakton is $776,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Oakton?

The median household income in Oakton is $163,662 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Oakton, VA?

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

Is Oakton, VA affordable?

Oakton is above average in cost of living, with an index of 224 — about 124% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Oakton?

Oakton 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.

Oakton at a Glance

Population
36,776
Median Income
$163,662
Home Value
$776,700
Median Rent
$2,333/mo
Unemployment
2.4%
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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