What is the cost of living in McLean, VA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, McLean has an overall cost of living index of 230, which is 2.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Virginia, McLean has a cost of living index that's 2.1x higher than Virginia's index of 112.
The standard of living in McLean ranks as #188 most affordable out of the 188 places we measured in Virginia. By definition, that implies McLean ranks as the #0 most expensive place in the Old Dominion.
For more reading on life in McLean, check out:
McLean Cost Of Living Vs. Virginia
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in McLean. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in McLean is 103.
The Groceries index in McLean is 102.
The Health index in McLean is 520.
The Housing index in McLean is 105.
The Transportation index in McLean is 107.
The Utilities index in McLean is 103.
| Living Expense | McLean | Virginia | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 230 | 112 | 100 |
| Services | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 104 | 100 |
| Health | 520 | 131 | 100 |
| Housing | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Transportation | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 104 | 100 |
McLean Cost Of Living Compared To Virginia Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Virginia, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in McLean Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
McLean, VA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Virginia, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in McLean is $1,482,696.
The Median Rent in McLean is $3,422.
The Median Income in McLean is $250,001.
The Home Value To Income in McLean is 5.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in McLean is 0.16x.
McLean, VA Costs By Category
Detailed McLean Services costs vs. Virginia
Detailed McLean Groceries costs vs. Virginia
Detailed McLean Health costs vs. Virginia
Detailed McLean Transportation costs vs. Virginia
Mclean SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around McLean
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around McLean. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Potomac, MD has a cost of living index of 199, 0.9x McLean.
Olney, MD has a cost of living index of 153, 0.7x McLean.
North Potomac, MD has a cost of living index of 176, 0.8x McLean.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. McLean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac, MD | 45,902 | 199 | 0.9x |
| Olney, MD | 35,797 | 153 | 0.7x |
| North Potomac, MD | 23,922 | 176 | 0.8x |
| Idylwood, VA | 17,559 | 155 | 0.7x |
| Vienna, VA | 16,412 | 183 | 0.8x |
| Falls Church, VA | 14,710 | 184 | 0.8x |
| Colesville, MD | 14,519 | 145 | 0.6x |
| Kemp Mill, MD | 13,042 | 147 | 0.6x |
| Travilah, MD | 11,721 | 225 | 1.0x |
| Chevy Chase, MD | 9,445 | 257 | 1.1x |
