Summary answer: On a $100,000 household income, standard lending guidelines put your realistic purchase price around $300,000–$350,000 — well below the City of Falls Church's own median, which recent readings put at $875,000-$1,015,000. This is honestly not a realistic city for this income level, even accounting for the market's genuine price variance.
I'm Johnny with JQ Real Estate. Let me give you the honest picture here rather than sugarcoat it.
The math, and why it's a real gap here
| Step | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly income ($100K/yr) | $8,333 |
| Target housing payment (28% front-end ratio) | ~$2,333/mo |
| Realistic purchase price (10% down, current rates ~6.65%) | ~$300,000–$330,000 |
| Realistic purchase price (VA loan, 0% down) | ~$350,000–$390,000 |
Why the independent City of Falls Church specifically doesn't work here
Unlike nearby West Falls Church (in Fairfax County, genuinely more affordable at $706,000-$755,000), the independent City of Falls Church carries one of the highest price floors in the entire DMV — this income level realistically points elsewhere in the region.
What changes your number
- Loan type — a VA loan removes the down payment requirement, but doesn't close this specific gap
- Second income — even doubled, this remains a stretch for the city itself
Get your actual number
Reach out and I'll connect you with a lender for a real pre-approval and help you figure out whether a nearby, more affordable community fits better.
For more Falls Church buyer and seller questions, visit our Falls Church real estate hub.