Is housing the single largest cost of living jump in NOVA?

[Novadhd5150]

Housing, daycare and dog boarding is definitely expensive in that order. I didnt realize things were that much cheaper in Southern California..I came from Atlanta where the cost of living was lower so this is an adjustment for us. Since you are making more money you shouldnt have a problem renting in the farther out suburbs like you mentioned..I think we paid 1700 /mo for 2 b/r in Fairfax city when we moved here.

[FairfaxGuy73]

Originally Posted by still_waiting

My college professors always preached to me the power of empirical data. So in their honor I present to you some data. It should answer your question. I used Arlington as an example. This is a rough estimate of course, but it shows you just how much of a difference it is at a glance. As you can see the biggest factor is HOUSING. I hate that sometimes, but that's life.

Moderator cut: Copyright issue: The data presented belongs to another website.

Aw man. I wonder if the poster could give us the link.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Housing is absolutely the biggest expense in the area. There are a lot of little things that are more expensive here than back home (southern california), but there are several things that are cheaper, too.

For example, getting a manicure here costs $20. Back home, it was $7. Same goes for most services. Boarding my dog is double what it cost in So Cal. OTOH, a gallon of gas here is always at least $1 per gallon less than back home--and since I fill up my car WAY more often than I get my nails done, I feel like I come out ahead!

Seriously? At least a $1 less per gallon in DC than LA for gas?

How much is gas in DC/NOVA now?

[pcity]

I think it was 2.63ish last time I filled up (earlier this week).

[FindingZen]

When I was in the LA area (El Segundo/Manhattan Beach/LAX Airport) last year, I recall gas being about 20-30 cents more per gallon than I was used to seeing in Alexandria. The difference would probably be less in DC proper. Of course, the LA metro is rather large; if you include the Inland Empire, you're almost halfway to Vegas. So without knowing what part is being referenced, it's possible that some outlying areas over there may charge less for gas than NOVA.

[brenpilot]

In my hometown (San Diego) the price is right around $3/gal right now. However, In California we have "summer gas" in which additives are put in the fuel. This usually bumps the price up about another quarter. For instance, this summer the price of a gallon was about $3.35/gal. So while not EXACTLY a dollar more, it is pretty close! (and LA is generally more expensive).

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Tone509

When I was in the LA area (El Segundo/Manhattan Beach/LAX Airport) last year, I recall gas being about 20-30 cents more per gallon than I was used to seeing in Alexandria.

Manhattan Beach, my old stomping grounds. Gas tends to be cheaper there than the rest of LA because you're next to the Chevron refinery in El Segundo. Gas in LA is pricey due to required additives.