Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Albemarle County, VA

Prices around Albemarle County, VA run 0.9% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $104,392 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,824 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $72,960 a year.

Albemarle County, VA at a glance

Median household income

$104,392$8,699 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,824HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)99.1-0.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Population114,919Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Albemarle County, VA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,824Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$72,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,610At 30% of $104,392
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Albemarle County, VA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Charlottesville, VA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Albemarle County, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,421$17,052$56,84016.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,602$19,224$64,08018.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,824$21,888$72,96021%
3-Bedroom Home$2,218$26,616$88,72025.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,731$32,772$109,24031.4%

Rent in Albemarle County, VA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Albemarle County, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $104,392 a year ($8,699 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,350/moRent ($1,824 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,610/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,740/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $104,392 leaves after Virginia taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Virginia tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$104,392
$40,000$210,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$104,392
Net 74%
Fed 14%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$77,081After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,423Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,965Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate26.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$14,136 / yr
Virginia state income tax$5,188 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,986 / yr

Living in Albemarle County, VA: common questions

What is the median household income in Albemarle County, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Albemarle County, VA is $104,392 per year (approximately $8,699 per month).

What is the average rent in Albemarle County, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,421 for a studio, $1,602 for one bedroom, $1,824 for two, $2,218 for three and $2,731 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Albemarle County, VA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 0.9% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 99.1, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Albemarle County, VA?

To keep a $1,824 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $72,960 a year, or $6,080 a month. That is 70% of what the typical household in Albemarle County, VA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Albemarle County, VA?

On the local median income of $104,392 ($8,699 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,350 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,610 for everything else and $1,740 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,824 takes 42% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Albemarle County, VA?

Homes in Virginia paid 17.2¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $155. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.