Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Scott County, VA

Prices around Scott County, VA run 13.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $46,349 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,044 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $41,760 a year.

Scott County, VA at a glance

Median household income

$46,349$3,862 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,044HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)86.4-13.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Population21,479Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Scott 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$1,044Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$41,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,159At 30% of $46,349
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Scott County, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$720$8,640$28,80018.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$818$9,816$32,72021.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,044$12,528$41,76027%
3-Bedroom Home$1,338$16,056$53,52034.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,464$17,568$58,56037.9%

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

What a typical income covers in Scott County, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $46,349 a year ($3,862 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,931/moRent ($1,044 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,159/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$772/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $46,349 leaves after Virginia taxes

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

$46,349
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,349
Net 81%
Fed 7%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,570After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,131Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,445Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,382 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,851 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,546 / yr

Living in Scott County, VA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Scott County, VA is $46,349 per year (approximately $3,862 per month).

What is the average rent in Scott County, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $720 for a studio, $818 for one bedroom, $1,044 for two, $1,338 for three and $1,464 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 Scott County, VA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 13.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 86.4, 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 Scott County, VA?

To keep a $1,044 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $41,760 a year, or $3,480 a month. That is 90% of what the typical household in Scott County, VA earns.

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

On the local median income of $46,349 ($3,862 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,931 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,159 for everything else and $772 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,044 takes 54% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Scott 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.