Manassas Park's composite score of 50.9 essentially matches the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 50th percentile. The city represents average American livability conditions.
2 / 5
Well below Virginia's state performance
At 50.9, Manassas Park trails Virginia's state average of 70.3 by nearly 20 points, ranking among the Commonwealth's lower-livability areas. The significant gap reflects acute affordability pressures compared to Virginia norms.
3 / 5
Moderate income levels provide some stability
Manassas Park delivers an income score of 49.1, reflecting a median household income of $100,668, above national averages. The tax score of 70.3 at a 1.136% effective rate offers some fiscal relief.
4 / 5
Housing costs severely strain affordability
The cost score of just 36.7 is the lowest among the eight counties, with a median home value of $381,200 and median rent of $2,175 monthly—by far the highest housing costs examined. These expenses consume most resident income, making the city genuinely unaffordable for typical households.
5 / 5
Only for the highest-earning Northern Virginia workers
Manassas Park works exclusively for dual-income professional households with incomes well above $100,000 who prioritize Northern Virginia location. It remains challenging even for these households due to housing costs that dominate the livability equation.
Manassas Park's composite score of 50.9 essentially matches the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 50th percentile. The city represents average American livability conditions.
Well below Virginia's state performance
At 50.9, Manassas Park trails Virginia's state average of 70.3 by nearly 20 points, ranking among the Commonwealth's lower-livability areas. The significant gap reflects acute affordability pressures compared to Virginia norms.
Moderate income levels provide some stability
Manassas Park delivers an income score of 49.1, reflecting a median household income of $100,668, above national averages. The tax score of 70.3 at a 1.136% effective rate offers some fiscal relief.
Housing costs severely strain affordability
The cost score of just 36.7 is the lowest among the eight counties, with a median home value of $381,200 and median rent of $2,175 monthly—by far the highest housing costs examined. These expenses consume most resident income, making the city genuinely unaffordable for typical households.
Only for the highest-earning Northern Virginia workers
Manassas Park works exclusively for dual-income professional households with incomes well above $100,000 who prioritize Northern Virginia location. It remains challenging even for these households due to housing costs that dominate the livability equation.
Score breakdown
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🏛70.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Manassas Park's effective tax rate of 1.136% is among the highest in the nation, placing it well above the 85th percentile. Homeowners here pay substantially more than the national median property tax, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage.
Virginia's second-highest tax rate
Manassas Park charges 1.136%, the second-highest effective rate among all Virginia jurisdictions, just behind Manassas city's 1.096%. Both exceed the statewide average of 0.671% by more than 60%.
Among region's priciest tax burden
Manassas Park's 1.136% rate is virtually tied with nearby Manassas city (1.096%), making both among the nation's highest-taxed small cities. These rates are triple those of neighboring rural counties like Lunenburg and Mecklenburg.
Median annual tax: $4,329
The typical Manassas Park homeowner with a median home value of $381,200 pays $4,329 annually in property taxes—roughly $361 per month. This represents one of the highest tax burdens in Virginia.
Assessment appeals are critical here
With tax bills exceeding $4,000 annually, Manassas Park homeowners should scrutinize their assessments carefully. Overassessment is surprisingly common even in well-maintained communities—challenging your valuation could recoup significant money.
Renters here face a 25.9% rent-to-income ratio—among the nation's worst—with $2,175 monthly rents consuming nearly a quarter of the $100,668 median household income. Even above-average earnings can't fully offset one of Virginia's steepest rent burdens.
Virginia's least affordable for renters
At 25.9%, Manassas Park's rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%, ranking it among the least affordable jurisdictions statewide. Median rent of $2,175 is 90% higher than the state average, driven by proximity to DC and regional demand.
Northern Virginia's priciest rental market
Manassas Park's $2,175 rent significantly outpaces neighboring Manassas ($1,835) and Lynchburg ($1,043), making it the region's costliest for renters. Home values ($381,200) are also steep, though slightly below Manassas proper, reflecting its smaller footprint and intense demand.
Manassas Park's expensive housing snapshot
Renters dedicate a costly 25.9% of income to rent, while homeowners commit about 24.5% to mortgages—both figures far exceed recommended housing cost thresholds. This means the typical household spends roughly one-quarter of earnings on housing alone.
Manassas Park: know the true cost
Consider Manassas Park only if your household income substantially exceeds the $100,668 median or if DC proximity justifies the 25.9% rent burden. Run detailed budget scenarios to confirm housing costs don't squeeze other family priorities like savings or childcare.
Manassas Park's median household income of $100,668 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 35%, placing it firmly in America's higher-earning communities. The city benefits from proximity to D.C.'s job market and professional services economy.
Top 10% earner in Virginia
At $100,668, Manassas Park ranks among Virginia's highest-income jurisdictions, 34% above the state median of $74,957. The city's northern Virginia location puts it in an elite earnings bracket within the Commonwealth.
Strong performer, second to Manassas
Manassas Park ($100,668) trails only Manassas ($117,919) among these eight jurisdictions and vastly exceeds rural competitors. The two Manassas cities represent the prosperity corridor of Northern Virginia, powered by federal employment and defense contracting.
Housing costs bite deeper here
A 25.9% rent-to-income ratio is notably high—approaching the 30% cost-burden threshold—despite strong household incomes. Manassas Park's $381,200 median home value commands a substantial share of the area's paychecks, reflecting competitive Northern Virginia real estate.
Maximize wealth despite housing costs
Even with elevated housing expenses, Manassas Park's six-figure incomes provide room for meaningful retirement and investment contributions. Prioritizing high-yield savings accounts and tax-deferred retirement vehicles can help households accumulate wealth despite premium housing markets.
Manassas Park reports a life expectancy of 88.9 years, significantly above the national average of 80 years and any peer in this dataset. However, 21.3% report poor or fair health and data on providers is limited, warranting caution in interpretation.
Unusual health profile requires exploration
Manassas Park's reported 88.9-year life expectancy far exceeds Virginia's 75.1-year average, though sparse provider data and a 14.1% uninsured rate suggest the city faces real coverage challenges. The outlier life expectancy may reflect data limitations or a unique demographic structure.
Limited provider data complicates comparison
Unlike neighboring Manassas city (96 primary care, 379 mental health providers per 100K), Manassas Park reports no provider data. The data gap makes it difficult to assess whether residents can actually access healthcare despite the high reported life expectancy.
Coverage gaps amid health contradictions
With 14.1% uninsured and limited provider data on file, Manassas Park residents face barriers to understanding their actual healthcare access. One in five report poor or fair health, contradicting the outlier life expectancy figure.
Secure coverage for peace of mind
Manassas Park's 14.1% uninsured rate leaves residents vulnerable to medical debt and delayed care. Virginia's marketplace and Medicaid program offer options for nearly all income levels—enroll today at Healthcare.gov or Virginia.gov.
With a composite risk score of 4.93 and a Very Low rating, Manassas Park city is one of the safest communities in the nation for natural disasters. The city's score is far below both the national average and Virginia's state average of 33.27.
Virginia's second-safest profiled community
Manassas Park ranks among Virginia's lowest-risk municipalities overall, with only Madison County scoring lower among our profiled communities. This exceptional Very Low rating reflects minimal exposure across all major disaster categories.
Safer than nearby Manassas and Lynchburg
Manassas Park's risk score of 4.93 is substantially lower than adjacent Manassas city (16.63) and dramatically lower than Lynchburg city (49.30). The city represents one of the most naturally protected communities in northern Virginia.
Tornado is primary hazard for small city
Manassas Park's highest individual risk comes from tornadoes at 16.63, though this remains well below state averages. Other hazards including flood (15.11), earthquake (32.79), and hurricane (54.86) are all relatively minimal, creating an exceptionally safe overall environment.
Standard insurance adequate for very low risk
Manassas Park's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance provides comprehensive protection for most properties. Residents should maintain basic emergency readiness and ensure their policies cover severe weather, but the city's low risk means expensive specialty coverage is typically unnecessary.