salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. Most households rent (55%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 69% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $95,760 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Virginia. It is number 131 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fair Oaks?
Share of households by yearly income. 50.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fair Oaks
| Size | Fair Oaks | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,031 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,266 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,464 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,076 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,030 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fair Oaks overall?
Everyday prices in Virginia overall are 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Fair Oaks, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Fair Oaks
Life in Fair Oaks
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fair Oaks?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,826 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $608,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $60,820 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fair Oaks, VA?
Renting in Fair Oaks costs a median of about $2,394 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Fair Oaks?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $95,760 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fair Oaks cheap or expensive?
Fair Oaks is rated OK: rent takes 21.5% of the typical household income of $133,677. It ranks 131st cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fair Oaks?
The median homeowner in Fair Oaks pays $6,049 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Fair Oaks more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Virginia are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fair Oaks?
The median home value in Fair Oaks is $608,200, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
35,545 people live in Fair Oaks. Numbers are typical (middle) values.