Here's How Much It Costs To Live In Reston

RESTON, VA -- The Economic Policy Institute has released a new Family Budget Calculator which breaks down exactly how much it costs for a family of four -- two adults and two children -- to live in communities across the country. And it turns out that for Reston, you've got to make quite a bit of money to afford to live here.

Fairfax County families of four need to make a whopping $114,105 per year -- $9,509 per month -- to attain a "modest yet adequate" standard of living, according to EPI.

That breaks down to:

• Housing: $1,951
• Food: $898
• Child Care: $1,752
• Transportation: $1,135
• Health Care: $949
• Other Necessities: $1,149
• Taxes: $1,675

At $105,539, the D.C. metropolitan area was 10th in the nation for highest costs nationwide, according to the report. San Francisco was No. 1 with an average cost of $148,440.

"EPI’s Family Budget Calculator measures the income a family needs in order to attain a modest yet adequate standard of living," EPI states. "The budgets estimate community-specific costs for 10 family types (one or two adults with zero to four children) in all counties and metro areas in the United States. Compared with the federal poverty line and the Supplemental Poverty Measure, EPI’s family budgets provide a more accurate and complete measure of economic security in America."

The calculator is based on 2017 figures.

Rising costs for childcare and housing appear to be driving much of the increase, according to a WAMU report. Childcare costs in particular have risen 50 percent over the last decade.

The report is not without its critics. Dan Riffle, senior counsel and policy advisor for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), says that it is easy for someone to live comfortably in the D.C. area without making six figures, as long as they are willing to compromise on neighborhoods.

Too high. It might be tough to raise a family of four on that money if you’re living in Cleveland Park or Dupont Circle, but it’s a choice to live there. Six figures is more than enough to “adequately” raise a family around here. https://t.co/V5mIb8Ca8Z
— Every Billionaire Is A Policy Failure (@DanRiffle) May 3, 2019