Cost of Living in Virginia
Based on 3 cities we track in Virginia.
Cost of living in Virginia is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,195 a month — 14% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $64,017, 5% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,195
Median Home Value
$328,100
Median Income
$64,017
Avg Temperature
59.9°F
Medians across the Virginia cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5.3%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 5.75%
Cities in Virginia
Compare Virginia with
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Virginia cost of living — FAQ
- Is Virginia expensive to live in?
- Virginia is on the pricier side of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,195 ranks #16 of 51 and is 14% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Virginia?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Virginia, average rent runs a studio around $1,183, a one-bedroom around $1,195, a two-bedroom around $1,374, a three-bedroom around $1,602 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Virginia?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Virginia is $328,100 — 14% higher than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Virginia have a state income tax?
- Yes — Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.75% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5.3%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Virginia?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,195 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Virginia is $64,017.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).