<p>hudsonvalley, Good question, bc that is exactly what I thought! I looked up the cost of attendance at both schools to compare as well. I have a personal interest in this too (for my own son) 
I can tell you that she is living in a house while at Rutgers (she could not commute if she wanted to because she lives a 1-1.5 hours from campus). I believe that the house is off campus, but very close to it. I know that she is not on a meal plan and cooks (very health conscious, and I am sure she is eating mostly just grains and veggies). I know that her parents have bought and delivered staple items in bulk to save as much money on food as possible.</p>
<p>Oh, and about VA, yes it is amazing: UVA, VT, William and Mary, The U of Mary Washington, James Madison, and then George Mason offers the Washington DC option. Then there are some other schools like Christopher Newport, and Virginia Commonwealth and a couple of others. They generally offer better weather too, unless you love cold and snow! They are able to attract and need to limit their OOS students to 30% at many of these schools.</p>