Cost of Living in Virginia

By Jamie Cattanach

(Last Updated – July 21,2026)

Most people all know that Virginia is for lovers — but is it for savers, too?

The site of the first permanent British colony, and thus the first state in America, Virginia is awash in historical and cultural intrigue, not to mention plain old natural beauty. From the beachy eastern coast to the mountainous west, the Old Dominion’s got it all.

It makes sense then that so many people live here (over 8.9 million, in fact). U.S. News ranks it 16th in terms of overall quality of life.

But what’s the cost of living like?

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Virginia?

Average Cost of Living in Virginia: $58,224 per year

Good news for those drawn to the land of America’s forefathers: All told, Virginia’s cost of living is relatively reasonable. While it’s not one of the cheapest states in the nation, it’s not one of the most expensive either. In its 2025 study, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) ranks Virginia 28th of 50 as far as cost of living goes. By contrast, neighboring Maryland is one of the most expensive states, in 46th place from least to most expensive, though North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky all rank more affordable on MERIC’s list.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how that cost of living breaks down. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the average Virginian spends $58,224 per year keeping themselves afloat, according to the most recent data. Here’s where that money goes:

Source: The Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Consumption Expenditures by State, 2024

Housing Costs in Virginia

Average Housing Costs in Virginia: $1,520 to $2,810 per month

Keeping a roof over one’s head is a high priority for most people. With 3,779,544 housing units, per U.S. Census data, housing is at somewhat of a premium in Virginia, considering its population.

That said, the value of Virginia homes seems to be reasonably on track with the U.S. market. According to Zillow, the typical home value in the state was $417,463 in May 2026, which is slightly more than the nationwide average U.S. home value of $370,320.

Of course, the exact value of homes in Virginia varies widely depending on which area you’re considering. Here are Zillow’s average home values in Virginia by metro area in April 2026:

Source: Zillow, June 2026

And what do those housing costs look like on a monthly basis? Here are some median mortgage and rent figures in Virginia, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $2,127

•  Median studio rent: $1,609

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,520

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,555

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,808

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $2,171

•  Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $2,810

•  Median gross rent: $1,646

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Utility Costs in Virginia

Average Utility Costs in Virginia: $456 per month

For most of us, a house isn’t a home until it’s got water and electricity flowing through its pipes and wires — and access to your favorite TV shows. Here’s how much it costs to get your household up and running in Virginia, on average.

Source: Doxo Insights 2026 U.S. Household Bill Pay Report

Groceries & Beverage Spending

Average Grocery & Beverage Costs in Virginia: $370 per person, per month

From barbecue to blue crab, Virginia is known for its good eats. But how much will you have to spend in the state to keep yourself fed?

If the average nonrestaurant food and beverage bill in Virginia is $4,439 per person, per year, that’s about $370 a month, per person. (Do keep in mind that this figure is just an average. It doesn’t take into account the fact that children eat less than adults and that some adults eat more or less than others.)

Of course, as is true in most states, your exact grocery costs will depend on where you live. According to 2025 rankings from the Council for Community and Economic Research, here’s how major Virginia cities stack up in terms of the grocery bill:

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research – Cost of Living Index, 2025 average

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Virginia: $8,621 to $16,189 per year

While major Virginia metros like Richmond do have public transportation, many people in this spread-out state rely on personal vehicles to get around. Any way you slice it, there’s a cost to getting where you’re going.

Your specific transportation expenses will, again, vary: Are you schlepping kids to school on the way to work each morning, or are you a single adult working from home? MIT’s Living Wage Calculator for February 2026 offers some excellent figures to help estimate your travel costs, depending on your circumstances.

Source: MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, 2026

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in Virginia: $9,123 per person, per year

If the average Virginia resident pays about $9,123 per year in health care expenses, that works out to about $760 per month.

Again, though, this average figure may not be representative of your experience. The exact amount you can expect to pay will depend on your health insurance coverage, how often you need medical attention, and other factors.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in Virginia: $942 to $1,581 or more per child, per month

If you’ve got kids, you already know that taking care of them can be a major budget item to plan for. As worthwhile as it is, child care is expensive.

Your specific expenses will depend not only on how many children you have (obviously), but also how, exactly, you want them looked after. CostofChildcare.org offers some averages to look at, as well as options to see how costs might change depending on classroom size, caretaker compensation, and other factors.

Source: Costofchildcare.org

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in Virginia: 5.75%

Like the majority of U.S. states, Virginia assesses a state income tax that must be paid along with federal income taxes, and the tax rate varies depending on the taxpayer’s income.

However, the highest marginal state income tax rate in Virginia is a fairly reasonable 5.75%, according to the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2026. While it’s higher than North Carolina’s 3.99%, it’s considerably lower than nearby Washington, D.C.’s highest, 10.75%.

Source: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2026

Miscellaneous Costs

We’ve covered all the necessities, but you’ve gotta have a little fun every now and then, too! The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that “all other personal expenditures” in Virginia total about $32,545. Here’s where some of that money might be going (prices accurate as of June 2026).

•  Entry to Shenandoah National Park, known for its epic Skyline Drive as well as its many more outdoor recreation opportunities: $30 for a single private vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days.

•  Tickets to Colonial Williamsburg, a historic theme park with reenactments, museums, and more, are similarly priced to 2025, and cost $37.50 for an adult single-day ticket or $10 for youths 6-12. Annual passes and other ticket options are also available at various price points.

•  Passage into Luray Caverns, a beautifully decorated cave, which also includes entry to the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy Town Junction: $36 for adults, $18 for children 6-12, and $34 for seniors purchased online, and additional discounts are available for school groups, military members, and others.

•  A tin of famous Virginia Diner salted peanuts costs $10.95 for a 9 oz. container and $23.45 for a 36 oz. container (though if you’re lucky, you might manage to catch them on sale). These special Virginia-grown peanuts are extra large, and go through a special two-step process, making them crunchy and delicious.

Obviously, Virginia residents are also spending some of that money on restaurant meals, clothes, and other day-to-day purchases. But the good news is, there are tons of free ways to entertain yourself in this state. Many of Virginia’s gorgeous beaches are absolutely free to the public, as are well-manicured green spaces like Richmond’s Maymont (though access to the Mansion and some tours will incur a charge).

Additionally, many of the Smithsonian Institution properties in nearby Washington, D.C., are entirely free to enter, too. The District has one of the highest costs of living in the nation, so take advantage of your proximity without spending the money it takes to actually live there. Win-win!

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Virginia?

There are so many factors that play into your personal cost of living, and everyone has a different definition of “comfort.”

What is known, though, is that Virginia ranks 37th on the latest U.S. News and World Report Affordability Ranking (the higher the placement, the less affordable it is), which is worse than its above-mentioned MERIC cost of living ranking of 28th.

All of which is to say: While there are expensive parts of the state to live in (and expensive lifestyles to choose), Virginia is, generally speaking, pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of affordability.

Source: U.S. News and World Report, Affordability Ranking and Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC)

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Virginia?

Looking to stack the odds in your favor when it comes to finding an affordable lifestyle in Virginia? Choosing a community with a lower overall cost of living can help.

Using that same 2025 data from the Council for Community and Economic Research, here are three of the cheapest major Virginia cities to live in, along with some insider details.

Danville

In a change from COLI’s 2024 data, Danville, a south-central Virginia city, enjoys the council’s lowest cost of living for 2025 at 87.4% of the U.S. average. Zillow estimates the average home value in Danville is $158,318, which makes it an affordable place to hang your hat.

Touching the border with North Carolina, Danville is a quiet town steeped in Civil War history that’s just an hour’s drive to bustling Greensboro, NC, and 90 minutes to Raleigh, NC.

Martinsville

Smack-dab in the middle of the east-west expanse of Virginia but far enough south to be just minutes from the North Carolina border, Martinsville enjoys the state’s second-lowest cost of living at 90.2% of the U.S. average. However, according to Zillow, the typical home there costs less than in Danville, valued at just $133,227.

Martinsville has a population of about 13,849 and is home to the Virginia Museum of Natural History and the Heritage Center & Museum. It’s also home to the shortest track in the NASCAR circuit. Plus, bigger metro areas like Roanoke and Danville are only about an hour away.

Roanoke

Nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains and the gates of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke, Virginia, is a well-populated inland Virginia city with around 99,111 residents, and a very reasonable cost of living of 92.4%.

Roanoke is home to the Taubman Museum of Art, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, and is within easy reach of many of western Virginia’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. Zillow’s estimate of the average home value is $282,167, which is much lower than the state average.