salaryRent is higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. Most households rent (61%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 76.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $99,080 a year. That is $48 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 140 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Merrifield?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Merrifield
| Size | Merrifield | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,303 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,251 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,840 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,927 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,451 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Merrifield 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 Merrifield, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Merrifield
Life in Merrifield
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Merrifield?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,108 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $660,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $66,080 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merrifield, VA?
Renting in Merrifield costs a median of about $2,477 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Merrifield?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $99,080 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Merrifield cheap or expensive?
Merrifield is rated OK: rent takes 20.2% of the typical household income of $147,078. It ranks 140th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Merrifield?
The median homeowner in Merrifield pays $6,725 a year in property taxes, about 1.02% of the median home value.
Is Merrifield 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 Merrifield?
The median home value in Merrifield is $660,800, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
20,698 people live in Merrifield. Numbers are typical (middle) values.