Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Roanoke County, VA

Prices around Roanoke County, VA run 6.4% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $83,709 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,254 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $50,160 a year.

Roanoke County, VA at a glance

Median household income

$83,709$6,976 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,254HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)93.6-6.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Population97,023Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Roanoke 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$1,254Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,093At 30% of $83,709
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Roanoke County, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,004$12,048$40,16014.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,053$12,636$42,12015.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,254$15,048$50,16018%
3-Bedroom Home$1,743$20,916$69,72025%
4-Bedroom Home$2,104$25,248$84,16030.2%

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

What a typical income covers in Roanoke County, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $83,709 a year ($6,976 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,488/moRent ($1,254 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,093/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,395/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $83,709 leaves after Virginia taxes

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

$83,709
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$83,709
Net 76%
Fed 11%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$63,720After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,310Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,451Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,586 / yr
Virginia state income tax$3,999 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,404 / yr

Living in Roanoke County, VA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Roanoke County, VA is $83,709 per year (approximately $6,976 per month).

What is the average rent in Roanoke County, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,004 for a studio, $1,053 for one bedroom, $1,254 for two, $1,743 for three and $2,104 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 Roanoke County, VA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 6.4% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 93.6, 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 Roanoke County, VA?

To keep a $1,254 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $50,160 a year, or $4,180 a month. That is 60% of what the typical household in Roanoke County, VA earns.

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

On the local median income of $83,709 ($6,976 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,488 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,093 for everything else and $1,395 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,254 takes 36% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Roanoke 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.