Bensley, VA
The cost of living in Bensley, VA is 10% below the national average (Cost Index: 90). Homes here are typically valued around $252,360, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $49,695 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.
Bensley already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 29% rent burden, 5.1x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 83. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI
Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Bensley.
Cost of Living Breakdown
Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.
Bensley Mortgage Calculator
Pre-filled with the local median home value of $252,360 and Virginia's property tax rate of 0.82%.
Household Housing Budget
Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.
Property Tax in Bensley, VA
Virginia Place Tax Context
Compare Bensley to Another City
Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.
Cost of Living Comparison
Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.
Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)
FAQ: Living in Bensley
Is Bensley, VA an affordable place to live?+
Yes — everyday expenses in Bensley run about 10% below the US average (Cost Index: 90). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $252,360, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,183, versus $1,348 nationally.
How does Bensley fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,183, while local median household income is $49,695. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 29% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.
How much are taxes in Bensley, VA?+
Virginia has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 5.75%. The effective property tax rate is 0.82%. On a home worth $252,360, that translates to roughly $2,069 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 5.75% on everyday purchases.
How much does it cost to rent in Bensley, VA?+
The typical monthly rent in Bensley is around $1,183. That's roughly 12% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $252,360, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Bensley, VA?+
The median home in Bensley is valued at $252,360. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,276/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 43% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Bensley?+
Grocery prices in Bensley are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 97, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 89). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Bensley, VA like to live in?+
Bensley is a small town with a population of about 5,819. The median age of residents is 29.2, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 22.45%, above the national average of 12.4%.
Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Virginia
If Bensley feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.
Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Virginia
Use these city pages when you want to compare Bensley against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.
- Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
- Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
- Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
- Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
- Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)