Merrifield 90 Exceptional
Merrifield Livability #3 ranked city in Virginia#81 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Merrifield

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

What's it like Living in Merrifield?

Located in the state of Virginia, Merrifield is a mid-sized city with a population of 19,142 residents. Merrifield has a population density of 7,098 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (50%) and Asian (34%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of Merrifield. With an average age of 33 years old, Merrifield could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Merrifield offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 33 minutes.

Living in Merrifield can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Virginia, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Merrifield and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Virginia and national averages.

Merrifield, VA receives 90/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #2 in Virginia and #61 in the USA. This is a terrific score, as Merrifield ranks well in multiple categories! Merrifield is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Merrifield has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), education (A) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Merrifield. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: cost of living (F).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Merrifield, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Merrifield undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Merrifield has an unemployment rate of 0.9% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Merrifield apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Merrifield real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Merrifield. The median home price for Merrifield homes is $984,780, which is 126.4% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Merrifield, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 15.6% higher than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Merrifield

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      Merrifield transportation information

      Statistic Merrifield Virginia National
      Average one way commute33min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work54.8%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit14.5%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.9%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.4%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home16.4%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Merrifield, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.