Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Washington County, VA

Prices around Washington County, VA run 13.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $64,552 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.

Washington County, VA at a glance

Median household income

$64,552$5,379 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
Population53,926Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Washington 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 income19.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$41,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,614At 30% of $64,552
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Washington 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 Washington County, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$720$8,640$28,80013.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$818$9,816$32,72015.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,044$12,528$41,76019.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,338$16,056$53,52024.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,464$17,568$58,56027.2%

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

What a typical income covers in Washington County, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $64,552 a year ($5,379 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,690/moRent ($1,044 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,614/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,076/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $64,552 leaves after Virginia taxes

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

$64,552
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,552
Net 79%
Fed 9%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,150After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,262Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,967Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,566 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,898 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,938 / yr

Living in Washington County, VA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Washington County, VA is $64,552 per year (approximately $5,379 per month).

What is the average rent in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 65% of what the typical household in Washington County, VA earns.

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

On the local median income of $64,552 ($5,379 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,690 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,614 for everything else and $1,076 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,044 takes 39% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Washington 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.