Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Russell County, VA

Prices around Russell County, VA run 1.1% above the U.S. average (BEA, Virginia). The typical household there earns $50,012 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.

Russell County, VA at a glance

Median household income

$50,012$4,168 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
Population25,538Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Russell 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 income21.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,250At 30% of $50,012
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Russell County, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$744$8,928$29,76017.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$748$8,976$29,92017.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$914$10,968$36,56021.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,156$13,872$46,24027.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,377$16,524$55,08033%

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

What a typical income covers in Russell County, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $50,012 a year ($4,168 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,084/moRent ($914 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,250/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$834/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $50,012 leaves after Virginia taxes

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

$50,012
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,012
Net 81%
Fed 8%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,303After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,359Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,550Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,821 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,062 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,826 / yr

Living in Russell County, VA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Russell County, VA is $50,012 per year (approximately $4,168 per month).

What is the average rent in Russell County, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $744 for a studio, $748 for one bedroom, $914 for two, $1,156 for three and $1,377 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 Russell 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 Russell 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 73% of what the typical household in Russell County, VA earns.

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

On the local median income of $50,012 ($4,168 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,084 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,250 for everything else and $834 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $914 takes 44% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Russell 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.