CountyScore

Falls Church city

Virginia · VA

#128 in Virginia
59.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Falls Church city, Virginia

Falls Church shows wealth without livability balance

Falls Church's composite score of 45.2 falls below the national median of 50.0 despite having the highest median income ($154,734) of any county analyzed. The city's extreme housing costs ($2,205/month rent, $1,005,400 median home value) override income advantages, creating the poorest affordability profile nationally.

Lowest-ranking county in Virginia sample

Falls Church scores 45.2, placing it 36% below Virginia's state average of 70.3 and making it the lowest-performing jurisdiction in this analysis. Despite being Virginia's wealthiest city, it ranks dead last due to unsustainable housing costs.

Highest incomes and professional opportunities

Falls Church boasts an income score of 84.4 with a median household income of $154,734—the highest of all counties analyzed. The city attracts senior federal officials, executives, and established professionals seeking proximity to Washington, D.C.

Lowest housing affordability in analysis

Falls Church's cost score of 13.5 is catastrophic, reflecting median home values of $1,005,400 and monthly rent of $2,205. Even six-figure earners allocate 35%+ of household income to housing—far above recommended thresholds.

For ultra-wealthy seeking proximity to power

Falls Church suits only the most affluent households ($200,000+ incomes) and established wealth willing to pay premium prices for exclusive, walkable proximity to Washington, D.C. It's a luxury enclave, not a livable community by affordability standards.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax74.3Cost13.5SafetyComing SoonHealth84.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome84.4Risk98.4WaterComing Soon
🏛74.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠13.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼84.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Falls Church city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Marion County
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Angelina County
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59.4
Median income: $58,847
Chatham County
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59.3
Median income: $69,575

Deep Dives

Falls Church city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Falls Church city

via TaxByCounty

Falls Church ranks among nation's highest

Falls Church city's effective tax rate of 0.995% exceeds the national median of 0.92%, placing it in roughly the 60th percentile nationally. The median tax of $10,001 is more than 3.7 times the national median of $2,690, driven by a premium rate and homes worth $1,005,400—nearly 3.6 times the national average.

Second-highest rate in Virginia

Falls Church city's 0.995% rate ranks among Virginia's highest, trailing only Fairfax County's 1.011% and well above the state average of 0.671%. The median tax of $10,001 is more than 5 times the state median of $1,960, reflecting exceptionally expensive homes and a high tax rate.

Virginia's most expensive jurisdiction

Falls Church city's 0.995% rate is comparable to Fairfax city (0.944%) and Fairfax County (1.011%), but its median home value of $1,005,400 is significantly higher than both—nearly $330,000 more than Fairfax County. Falls Church represents the region's apex of property costs.

What a typical home costs in taxes

A median-priced home worth $1,005,400 in Falls Church city carries an annual tax bill of roughly $10,001. That translates to about $833 per month—more than 13 times the annual tax burden for a typical Dickenson County homeowner.

Homeowners can challenge assessments

With median home values exceeding $1 million, assessment accuracy is critical in Falls Church—even small errors translate to thousands in taxes. Property owners should carefully review their assessments and pursue appeals if they believe their valuations are inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Falls Church city

via CostByCounty

Falls Church: America's most expensive housing per capita

Falls Church's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% beats the national standard of 18.6%, despite boasting $2,205 median rent and a staggering $1,005,400 median home value—among America's highest. Median household income of $154,734 is nearly 2x the national average, allowing residents to comfortably absorb prices that would bankrupt typical American families. This is a market for the nation's wealthiest households.

Virginia's single most expensive market

Falls Church claims Virginia's highest median home value at $1,005,400 and near-highest median income at $154,734, producing a 17.1% rent-to-income ratio that beats state average. The $2,205 median rent trails Fairfax County by only $25, while the city's extreme home prices dwarf all other Virginia jurisdictions. Falls Church stands alone as Virginia's luxury market.

Falls Church towers above all peers

Falls Church's median income of $154,734 exceeds all peers, but its $1,005,400 median home value is nearly 50% higher than Fairfax County's $700k. At 17.1%, Falls Church's rent-to-income ratio remains competitive with richer neighbors, a testament to extraordinary earning power. Falls Church occupies a tier entirely its own.

Elite housing consumes elite incomes efficiently

Falls Church renters spend $2,205 monthly on $154,734 annual income—17.1% of gross earnings, an exceptional ratio given the absolute cost. However, homeowners allocate $3,549 monthly to $1.005M median homes, consuming 27.6% of household income—the highest burden in this entire peer group, though still manageable for top earners. This city rewards renters over homeowners financially.

Falls Church exclusively for top earners

With $1M median homes and $2,200+ rents, Falls Church demands documented high income ($150k+) to qualify for financing and housing. The city's world-class schools, walkable downtown, and proximity to Washington D.C. justify premium pricing for wealthy families prioritizing educational excellence and urban convenience. Those not in the top income percentile should consider neighboring Fairfax County or Fairfax city.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Falls Church city

via IncomeByCounty

Falls Church city leads nation in household income

Falls Church city's median household income of $154,734 crushes the national median of $74,755 by 107%. This extraordinary earning power ranks Falls Church among America's most affluent cities.

Falls Church city tops Virginia's income hierarchy

Falls Church city's $154,734 median household income more than doubles Virginia's state average of $74,957. Per capita income of $85,077 towers over the state average of $39,155 by 117%.

Falls Church city outearns all Virginia comparisons

Falls Church city's $154,734 median income leads Fairfax County ($150,113), Fairfax city ($132,774), and all other regional jurisdictions. The city represents the apex of Northern Virginia's income distribution.

Substantial income manages premium property costs

Despite median home values of $1,005,400—the region's highest—Falls Church's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio shows exceptional affordability relative to earnings. Residents have maximum capacity for savings, investment, and discretionary spending.

Build generational wealth through strategic planning

Falls Church's elite income levels enable comprehensive wealth strategies: diversified investments, estate planning, philanthropic giving, and business ownership. Engage sophisticated financial and tax advisors to optimize wealth preservation and transfer across generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Falls Church city

via HealthByCounty

Among nation's healthiest communities

Falls Church residents live to 78.3 years—1.9 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With just 9.7% reporting poor or fair health, far below the national 18%, the city ranks among America's healthiest places.

Second-healthiest jurisdiction in Virginia

Falls Church's 78.3-year life expectancy exceeds Virginia's 75.1-year average by 3.2 years, placing it second only to Fairfax County. The city's 9.7% poor/fair health rate is among Virginia's lowest, reflecting concentrated investment in public health and healthcare infrastructure.

Regional health champion

Falls Church's 78.3-year life expectancy trails only Fairfax County (84.5 years) in its region and far exceeds Fairfax city (76.1 years) and all rural counties. The city's 9.7% poor/fair health rate demonstrates exceptional health outcomes across a well-resourced urban population.

Exceptional provider density and coverage

Falls Church has 297 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 1,662 mental health providers per 100,000—among the nation's highest concentrations. At 3.9% uninsured, Falls Church achieves Virginia's lowest uninsured rate, ensuring near-universal access to care.

Complete your health advantage

Falls Church's 3.9% uninsured rate is the state's lowest, yet a small population remains unprotected against medical emergencies. Visit Virginia's health insurance marketplace to ensure everyone in your household maintains coverage for routine care and unexpected health crises.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Falls Church city

via RiskByCounty

Falls Church enjoys exceptional protection

Falls Church's composite risk score of 1.62 ranks among the safest in the entire nation, with minimal exposure across nearly all natural disaster types. The city scores exceptionally low for flood (5.44), wildfire (0.13), and tornado (12.98) risks, marking it as an extraordinarily resilient community.

Virginia's safest jurisdiction overall

Falls Church's score of 1.62 is the lowest among all Virginia counties and cities analyzed, representing just 5% of the state average of 33.27. The city's remarkable safety across all major hazard categories makes it a statistical outlier even within the commonwealth's safest tier.

Falls Church far outpaces neighbors

Falls Church's composite score of 1.62 is dramatically lower than neighboring Fairfax County (94.66) and even safer than Fairfax city (5.28). The city's wildfire risk of 0.13 is nearly untraceable, representing virtually zero exposure to this hazard.

No significant natural disaster threats

Falls Church residents face no dominant natural disaster risk—all hazard categories register minimal exposure, with wildfire and tornado posing negligible threats. Even the city's highest risk category, hurricane at 53.73, remains well below state and national averages.

Basic homeowner's insurance suffices

Falls Church residents can confidently rely on standard homeowner's insurance without specialized hazard coverage. Maintain routine property maintenance and ensure adequate replacement cost valuations, and review your policy every few years to reflect property improvements and market values.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.