Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 44.1% of median family income in Fairfax County, VA and 76.0% in Portsmouth city, VA. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Fairfax County, VA vs Portsmouth city, VA: Cost of Living Difference
Portsmouth city, VA is cheaper than Fairfax County, VA for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Portsmouth city, VA is cheaper than Fairfax County, VA.
Cheaper place
Portsmouth city, VASave about $26,399 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Portsmouth city, VA is estimated to save $26,399 per year.
AnnualSave about $26,399 per year.
MonthlySave about $2,200 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Fairfax County, VA is about $33,245 in Portsmouth city, VA.
Biggest drivers
Healthcare increases by $123 per year. Housing saves $11,278 per year.
Fairfax County, VA→Portsmouth city, VA
Equivalent salary in Portsmouth city, VA
$33,245
-33.51% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Fairfax County, VA: $178,683
Median Income in Portsmouth city, VA: $68,959
annual living index in Fairfax County, VA 44.09%
annual living index in Portsmouth city, VA 75.97%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Fairfax County, VA to Portsmouth city, VA.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Portsmouth city, VA compared with Fairfax County, VA.
| Category | Fairfax County, VA | Portsmouth city, VA | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $26,989 | $15,711 | -$11,278(-41.79%) | -$940 | Lower in Portsmouth city, VA |
| Taxes | $19,808 | $10,791 | -$9,017(-45.52%) | -$751 | Lower in Portsmouth city, VA |
| Other Costs | $9,984 | $6,164 | -$3,820(-38.26%) | -$318 | Lower in Portsmouth city, VA |
| Transport | $12,360 | $10,979 | -$1,381(-11.17%) | -$115 | Lower in Portsmouth city, VA |
| Food | $5,169 | $4,142 | -$1,027(-19.87%) | -$86 | Lower in Portsmouth city, VA |
| Healthcare | $4,476 | $4,599 | +$123(2.75%) | +$10 | Higher in Portsmouth city, VA |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Fairfax County, VA and Portsmouth city, VA, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $11,278 per year lower in Portsmouth city, VA than in Fairfax County, VA. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Portsmouth city, VA changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $1,027 per year lower in Portsmouth city, VA than in Fairfax County, VA. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Portsmouth city, VA can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $1,381 per year lower in Portsmouth city, VA than in Fairfax County, VA. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Portsmouth city, VA.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $123 per year higher in Portsmouth city, VA than in Fairfax County, VA. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Portsmouth city, VA changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $3,820 per year lower in Portsmouth city, VA than in Fairfax County, VA. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Portsmouth city, VA help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Fairfax County, VA and Portsmouth city, VA, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Portsmouth city, VA, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $9,017 per year lower in Portsmouth city, VA than in Fairfax County, VA. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Portsmouth city, VA matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Fairfax County, VA or Portsmouth city, VA?
Portsmouth city, VA is cheaper than Fairfax County, VA by about $26,399 per year.
How much salary is needed in Portsmouth city, VA?
A $50,000 salary in Fairfax County, VA is modeled as roughly equivalent to $33,245 in Portsmouth city, VA for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Fairfax County, VA vs Portsmouth city, VA comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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