Rent, home prices, and cost of living in Virginia
Across the 192 Virginia cities with committed home, rent, and income data, the population-weighted cost index is 128, 28% above the U.S. baseline of 100. In that sample, the median city home value is $465,681, the median city monthly rent is $2,209, and the median city household income is $107,810.
Cross-city statistics over the 192 Virginia cities with committed home, rent, and income data; not a statewide household median. Home value and rent: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI Aug 2026 where matched, HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR where no ZORI match, otherwise Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Household income: Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Cost index: population-weighted across the sample from those housing inputs plus BEA 2024 regional price parities.
Major cities in Virginia
Tax context: top income-tax rate 5.75%, estimated combined sales tax 5.77%, property-tax proxy 0.78%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
All 200 Virginia cities
Every committed place in Virginia, grouped by population. Each entry links straight to its cost-of-living page, and the list is rendered on the server so it is visible without JavaScript.
Cities of 100,000 or more 8 cities
Cities of 25,000 to 99,999 38 cities
- Suffolk, VA
- Roanoke, VA
- Portsmouth, VA
- Lynchburg, VA
- Centreville, VA
- Dale City, VA
- Reston, VA
- Harrisonburg, VA
- McLean, VA
- Tuckahoe, VA
- Leesburg, VA
- Lake Ridge, VA
- Ashburn, VA
- Blacksburg, VA
- Charlottesville, VA
- Burke, VA
- Woodbridge, VA
- Manassas, VA
- Danville, VA
- Linton Hall, VA
- Annandale, VA
- Mechanicsville, VA
- Oakton, VA
- Fair Oaks, VA
- South Riding, VA
- Petersburg, VA
- Sterling, VA
- West Falls Church, VA
- Springfield, VA
- Short Pump, VA
- Tysons, VA
- Fredericksburg, VA
- Winchester, VA
- Cherry Hill, VA
- Staunton, VA
- Cave Spring, VA
- Salem, VA
- Fairfax, VA
Cities of 10,000 to 24,999 81 cities
- Herndon, VA
- Brambleton, VA
- Chester, VA
- Bailey's Crossroads, VA
- Chantilly, VA
- Hopewell, VA
- Waynesboro, VA
- Christiansburg, VA
- McNair, VA
- West Springfield, VA
- Montclair, VA
- Leesylvania, VA
- Buckhall, VA
- Woodlawn CDP (Fairfax County), VA
- Rose Hill CDP (Fairfax County), VA
- Lorton, VA
- Culpeper, VA
- Meadowbrook, VA
- Merrifield, VA
- Lincolnia, VA
- Sudley, VA
- Midlothian, VA
- Franklin Farm, VA
- Laurel, VA
- Kingstowne, VA
- Colonial Heights, VA
- Franconia, VA
- Gainesville, VA
- Idylwood, VA
- Glen Allen, VA
- Hybla Valley, VA
- Hollins, VA
- Burke Centre, VA
- Bon Air, VA
- Bull Run CDP (Prince William County), VA
- Bristol, VA
- Manassas Park, VA
- Radford, VA
- Fort Hunt, VA
- Stone Ridge, VA
- Vienna, VA
- Wolf Trap, VA
- Williamsburg, VA
- Front Royal, VA
- East Highland Park, VA
- Great Falls, VA
- Falls Church, VA
- Broadlands, VA
- Highland Springs, VA
- Groveton, VA
- Brandermill, VA
- Martinsville, VA
- Huntington, VA
- Newington, VA
- Kings Park West, VA
- Forest, VA
- Mount Vernon, VA
- Timberlake, VA
- Lakeside, VA
- Poquoson, VA
- Sugarland Run, VA
- Fairfax Station, VA
- Manchester, VA
- Cascades, VA
- Lansdowne, VA
- Newington Forest, VA
- Wyndham, VA
- Wakefield, VA
- New Baltimore, VA
- Dranesville, VA
- Stuarts Draft, VA
- Gloucester Point, VA
- Lowes Island, VA
- Lake Barcroft, VA
- Independent Hill, VA
- Lake Monticello, VA
- Triangle, VA
- Loudoun Valley Estates, VA
- Madison Heights, VA
- Warrenton, VA
- Rockwood, VA
Places under 10,000 73 cities
- Difficult Run, VA
- George Mason, VA
- Yorkshire, VA
- Belmont, VA
- Countryside, VA
- Woodburn, VA
- Fishersville, VA
- Seven Corners, VA
- Crozet, VA
- University of Virginia, VA
- Fort Lee, VA
- Purcellville, VA
- Dunn Loring, VA
- Fair Lakes, VA
- Pulaski, VA
- Smithfield, VA
- Innsbrook, VA
- Hollymead, VA
- Fort Belvoir, VA
- Carrollton, VA
- Abingdon, VA
- Mantua, VA
- Montrose, VA
- Franklin, VA
- Greenbriar, VA
- Wytheville, VA
- Vinton, VA
- Dumbarton, VA
- Lake of the Woods, VA
- Bellwood, VA
- South Boston, VA
- Bull Run CDP (Fairfax County), VA
- Farmville, VA
- Ashland, VA
- Bedford, VA
- Floris, VA
- Lexington, VA
- Aquia Harbour, VA
- Laurel Hill, VA
- Sandston, VA
- Woodlake, VA
- Hutchison, VA
- Strasburg, VA
- Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
- Collinsville, VA
- North Springfield, VA
- Long Branch, VA
- Galax, VA
- Bridgewater, VA
- South Run, VA
- Buena Vista, VA
- Pimmit Hills, VA
- Belle Haven, VA
- Braddock, VA
- Massanetta Springs, VA
- Moorefield, VA
- Bensley, VA
- Ettrick, VA
- Woodstock, VA
- Quantico Base, VA
- Stafford Courthouse, VA
- Dumfries, VA
- Potomac Mills, VA
- Covington, VA
- Marion, VA
- Crosspointe, VA
- Emporia, VA
- Dulles Town Center, VA
- Falmouth, VA
- Richlands, VA
- Big Stone Gap, VA
- Orange, VA
- Bealeton, VA
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. HUD FMRs are 2-bedroom 40th-percentile gross-rent program benchmarks, not market medians. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is from the Tax Foundation 2026 edition, based on 2024 ACS.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia
Virginia housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in Virginia?+
Among the cities we track, Richlands stands out as the most affordable option in Virginia. The median home value there is $112,928, and monthly rent typically runs around $943. The local median household income is $37,154, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Virginia?+
Vienna is currently the priciest market in VA. Homes there are valued at a median of $1,165,194, and renters can expect to pay around $3,412/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $216,953 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Virginia?+
Virginia uses a progressive model; 5.75% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 0.78% and is not an individual bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is 5.77%.
How much does housing vary across Virginia?+
There's a huge range. In Richlands, the median home costs around $112,928. In Vienna, that number jumps to $1,165,194 — roughly 9x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $943/month vs. $3,412/month. Where you choose to settle within VA can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Virginia a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Virginia has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $112,928 in lower-cost tracked places to $1,165,194 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in VA.