Between proximity to the nation's capital, historic sites, good schools, and job opportunities, Northern Virginia and the counties within it have become a destination for families and professionals. The high demand and proximity to large cities make it an expensive and competitive real estate market. My biggest motivation for moving is because it's expensive and I hate the cold weather, which is half a year in Virginia. What do you like or hate about this? The Loudoun County, Virginia housing market is almost as hot as Arlington right now, albeit with lower prices.
And that's part of the reason why. And even though Virginia's tax rate is lower, because the state's home values are higher, you can expect to pay property taxes more on par with the national average. Unless your definition of cold is something in the 50s or below, I don't think it's true that it's cold in Virginia for half the year. Your grocery bill probably isn't too far-fetched when it comes to calculating what the cost of living is in Virginia.
Consider working with an experienced local realtor who can help you navigate the Virginia housing market and determine which city and neighborhood best fits your needs and budget. Northern Virginia is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, but also one of the most affordable. However, compared to other cities on the East Coast, Virginia is relatively affordable and has a reasonable cost of living. For example, in the city of Ashburn, food and grocery costs are 4.2% more expensive than in Woodbridge, Virginia.
But can you afford to live in the Old Dominion State? To give you a better idea of the costs you'll need to budget for, here's a breakdown of the cost of living in Virginia. Virginia isn't the cheapest place to live in the United States, but it's better than most California and the country's most expensive states. When trying to determine what the cost of living is in Virginia, housing costs will by far be your biggest expense. Two-thirds of low-income households in Northern Virginia were severely burdened by housing costs, the highest rate seen in the 50 most populated metropolitan areas.
