Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Carroll County, VA

Prices around Carroll County, VA run 1.1% above the U.S. average (BEA, Virginia). The typical household there earns $54,484 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $914 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $36,560 a year.

Carroll County, VA at a glance

Median household income

$54,484$4,540 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$914HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)101.1+1.1% · BEA, Virginia
Electricity17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Population29,157Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Carroll 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$914Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,362At 30% of $54,484
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Carroll County-Galax city, VA HUD Nonmetro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Carroll County, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$765$9,180$30,60016.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$770$9,240$30,80017%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$914$10,968$36,56020.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,271$15,252$50,84028%
4-Bedroom Home$1,481$17,772$59,24032.6%

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

What a typical income covers in Carroll County, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $54,484 a year ($4,540 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,270/moRent ($914 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,362/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$908/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $54,484 leaves after Virginia taxes

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

$54,484
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,484
Net 80%
Fed 8%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,639After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,637Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,678Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,358 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,319 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,168 / yr

Living in Carroll County, VA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carroll County, VA is $54,484 per year (approximately $4,540 per month).

What is the average rent in Carroll County, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $765 for a studio, $770 for one bedroom, $914 for two, $1,271 for three and $1,481 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 Carroll County, VA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 1.1% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Virginia is 101.1, 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 Carroll County, VA?

To keep a $914 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $36,560 a year, or $3,047 a month. That is 67% of what the typical household in Carroll County, VA earns.

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

On the local median income of $54,484 ($4,540 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,270 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,362 for everything else and $908 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $914 takes 40% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Carroll 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.