I had the same thing earlier this year. I needed a timing belt in the Hyundai. I had had the last one replaced in NC for $265, and that guy apologized that it was so much. In Northern VA I called a half dzen places and they were all around $800. I drove two hours to see my brother in Winchester and had it down for $300.
In Northern VA everything is incredibly overpriced; it's one of the reasons I hate it hear. In Old Town Alexandria, a burger is $12. I think I'm going to start sound like Neil with Canda until I can get myself out of this hellhole.