Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Petersburg city, VA

Prices around Petersburg city, VA run 2.1% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $50,698 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,655 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $66,200 a year.

Petersburg city, VA at a glance

Median household income

$50,698$4,225 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,655HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)97.9-2.1% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Population33,537Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Petersburg city, VA?

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

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,655Monthly market rent
Share of gross income39.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$66,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,267At 30% of $50,698
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Petersburg city, VA? By bedroom, 2026

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Petersburg city, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,442$17,304$57,68034.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,507$18,084$60,28035.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,655$19,860$66,20039.2%
3-Bedroom Home$2,072$24,864$82,88049%
4-Bedroom Home$2,553$30,636$102,12060.4%

Rent in Petersburg city, VA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Petersburg city, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $50,698 a year ($4,225 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,112/moRent ($1,655 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,267/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$845/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $50,698 leaves after Virginia taxes

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

$50,698
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,698
Net 81%
Fed 8%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,815After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,401Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,570Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,904 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,101 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,878 / yr

Living in Petersburg city, VA: common questions

What is the median household income in Petersburg city, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Petersburg city, VA is $50,698 per year (approximately $4,225 per month).

What is the average rent in Petersburg city, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,442 for a studio, $1,507 for one bedroom, $1,655 for two, $2,072 for three and $2,553 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 Petersburg city, VA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 2.1% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 97.9, 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 Petersburg city, VA?

To keep a $1,655 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $66,200 a year, or $5,517 a month. That is 131% of what the typical household in Petersburg city, VA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Petersburg city, VA?

On the local median income of $50,698 ($4,225 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,112 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,267 for everything else and $845 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,655 takes 78% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Petersburg city, 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.