Virginia is a stupendous state offering everything from quality education, delicious food, historic places, nightclubs, and many more things. Surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and Atlantic Coast. Further, Richmond is the capital city of Virginia and is the most populous.
The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay influence the climatic conditions of Virginia, so you better be updated with Virginia’s weather conditions. The average cost of living in Virginia is 103.7. It is more expensive than most states and higher than the national average. The living costs are 8.7% higher than the national average.
What makes Virginia so desirable to live in?
The scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, serene coastlines, beautiful rivers, and professional opportunities make Virginia a desirable place to live in.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Virginia?
According to livingwage.mit.edu, one will need a salary of at least $26,631 to live comfortably in Virginia with no children. In the case of two children with a family, the average cost is $61,780 after the deduction of taxes. Virginia is one of the most expensive states in the US. Northern Virginia is more expensive than other cities in the state as it is closer to Washington DC. Read on to learn more is Virginia expensive to live in or not.
Can you live cheaply in Virginia?
Yes, you can. Virginia’s cost of living is higher than most other states in the US. The cheapest metro area to live in is Richmond in Virginia. Northern Virginia has a higher cost of living and other wooded areas of Virginia are affordable to live in. Pulaski is the cheapest place to live in VA and is a mountainous region. If one wishes to stay in the foothills town, Martinsville and Danville are places for you. So yes, one can live cheaply in Virginia in the wooded estates, forested lands, and mountainous regions. However, cities closer to Washington DC in Virginia are expensive.
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Cost of Living in Virginia
The cost of living in Virginia is determined by various lifestyle factors like utilities, groceries, healthcare costs, estate prices, and tax rates. Keep reading to learn more about these factors of the living costs in Virginia in detail.
1. Groceries Prices in Virginia
The average groceries prices in Virginia stand at 100.3 and are higher than the national index by a margin. The monthly expense on food in Richmond is $309.87 and is lower than the national average of $324.10.
Groceries prices vary according to the areas one lives in Virginia. If one wishes to eat outside, the food costs will rise further. There are great budget-friendly restaurants to eat from in Virginia. A meal at a decent restaurant will cost around $60 for two.
Are groceries expensive in Virginia?
No. As per Move.org Virginia ranks in the 9th position in the USA when it comes to non-expensive groceries. One can have a complete grocery under $298, whereas the national average is $355.50. Undoubtedly, for the least expensive groceries, you can count on Virginia.
How much are groceries in Virginia?
On average, the price of groceries is 99.6 as compared to the national average index of 100. A family of four spends an average of $10,064 and is the 17th most expensive place to spend on groceries.
How much should I budget for groceries in Virginia?
Food costs are driven by the costs people can afford in an area. Virginia has a higher average income compared to the national average. On average, a family should budget around $10,064 for sustenance in Virginia, annually.
So, if you are not sure about Virginia’s expenses, you’d love to have a look at Virginia’s expensive to live in or not.
2. Price of Utilities
The average index of utilities is 99.3 as compared to the national average index of 100. Utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage. The average residential electricity rate in VA is 6.73% less than the national average electricity rate.
How expensive are utilities in Virginia?
Virginia is ranked 11th highest in terms of the price of utilities in the US. The average monthly residential bill is $124 in Virginia. Natural gas is about $74.32 per month, and for internet services, it is $60.
How much is the electric bill in Virginia?
The average monthly electricity bill in Virginia is $751 and is ranked 8th in the US. The residential electricity rate is 11.08$/kWh, and electricity consumption rates average about 1117kWh per month, which is 10th in the US.
How much are the water and sewer a month in Virginia?
The SCC regulates water and sewer facilities in Virginia. The average water and sewer bills in Virginia come to $70 per month. West Virginia has the highest water bills in the state at $91.
3. Cost for Healthcare in Virginia
Healthcare in Virginia is more expensive than in most other cities in the US. The median healthcare price in Richmond is 14% higher than the national median. Healthcare costs in smaller cities of Virginia like Roanoke Valley and Virginia Beach are 8% above and 2% below the national median. Further, the average individual employee contribution for single coverage healthcare at private companies in Virginia is more than the national average. Healthcare costs briefly determine the cost of living, in Virginia. So, an individual should carry $6370 when it comes to Virginia’s healthcare.
Is Virginia Healthcare more expensive?
Yes, Virginia Healthcare is more expensive than the national average. It has an index of 102.4 compared to the national average index of 100.
Is healthcare free in Virginia?
Virginia has many low-cost and free insurance programs for eligible residents. In Virginia, there are free and charitable places providing quality, complete, and comprehensive healthcare facilities. As a result, it helps provide basic healthcare facilities for the underprivileged.
How much does Obamacare cost in Virginia?
The cost of Obamacare depends on the tier one chooses to enroll in. Bronze, silver, gold, and platinum are the different tiers receiving about 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% health benefits.
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4. Virginia Home Prices
Virginia is home to pricey counties and cities like Falls Church and Alexandria, with median home prices of $832,689 and $574,916, respectively. The rent prices in Virginia are also higher, having the statewide median value being $278,038. In contrast, Norfolk and Richmond have lower estate prices. Further, the state has an index of 111.8 compared to the national average of 100. Therefore, moving to Virginia will help us understand the lifestyle conditions and property prices better.
What is the average cost of a house in Virginia?
The average cost of a house in Virginia is about $329,200 compared to the national average of $291,700.
Which Virginia island is the cheapest to buy a house?
Covington is the cheapest to buy a house in Virginia. The median home price is $70,400 and is the lowest in the state. The home prices in Virginia are four times that of Covington.
Will Virginia home prices drop?
Estate prices in Virginia have risen over 11% and over $100,000 in the past 18 months. There are no chances of Virginia home prices dropping soon.
5. Education in Virginia
The education system in Virginia ranks consistently in the top ten states of the US. Private and public universities rank well in terms of infrastructure, faculties, and average grades. University of Virginia, Washington and Lee University, and Richmond University are popular universities in the state. Moreover, K-12 education in Virginia is the fourth-best in the US.
Is education free in Virginia?
Yes, some elementary and secondary schools provide free education to children of all age groups across the state. The General assembly has control over these boards, institutions, and programs.
National Parks in Virginia cover acres of land in Virginia and help understand the state’s environment and ecological conditions in general.
Is college cheaper in Virginia?
The cheapest college in Virginia charges a fee of $4871 and various other institutes offer different programs at about the same range of $5200. So, one can say that a college education is cheaper in Virginia than in other states of the US.
Are universities expensive in Virginia?
The University of Richmond is the most expensive in Virginia, charging a fee of $54,960 as compared to the state average of $21,361.
6. Virginia Tax Rates
Virginia has a progressive tax system at rates ranging from 2.00 percent to 5.75 percent. The corporate income tax rate in Virginia is about 6 percent. The tax rates depend on residency and income. Virginia charges different tax rates of 2%, 3%, 5% and 5.75% basis taxable incomes. The property tax rate is 0.74% of the median house value. The top marginal rate of 5.75% applies to individuals above $17,000 income.
Is tax cheaper in Virginia?
Property tax rates in Virginia are below the national average. Virginia has the 24th highest tax rate in the US and is a retirement tax-friendly state. Sales tax rates vary from 5.3% to 7% by county.
Are taxes higher in Florida or Virginia?
Florida is a state that does not collect personal income taxes. Taxes are higher in Virginia than in Florida; therefore, the state of Florida is known for low tax rates.
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7. Virginia Public Transportation
The price of energy and gas is below the national average by a margin. The average price of a gallon of gas is $2.64 and is lower than the national average of $2.90. Commute times are longer in Virginia, and the average commute time in Virginia is 28.2 minutes. Transportation costs in Virginia are at an index of 99.4 compared to the national average index of 100. The costs are cheaper than the national average.
How much does transportation cost in Virginia?
An unlimited 30-day pass from the Greater Richmond Transit Company costs around $60. For senior, disabled, or minor travelers, it is about $35.
How much do bus rides cost in Virginia?
If one lives in Northern Virginia and wishes to travel to DC Metro, 7-day regional bus passes are available at $17.50.
8. Average Cost for Energy & Fuels
Gas price in Virginia is higher than the national average. Natural gas is the largest source of energy in Virginia that drives half of the state’s electricity generation. The rest is handled by coal, majorly followed by biomass, hydropower, petroleum, PV, and other sources. Virginia is a large importer of fuels and energy sources.
What are the fuel prices in Virginia?
The diesel price in Virginia is the highest at $5.37, whereas gas prices are charged at $4.00. As demand increases, gasoline prices also increase.
Why are gas prices so high in Virginia?
Energy consumption in Virginia is twice that of the state’s production, making the gas prices elevate to new highs. It is also the largest energy source, contributing to more than half of the state’s electricity production.
9. Miscellaneous Things
On an index of 100, miscellaneous things have an index of 100.5, indicating that the prices are higher than the national average.
Virginia has access to various adventurous places for one-day trips or weekend excursions for both residents and visitors alike. Admission prices to Mount Vernon and Jamestown are about $20. Moreover, Busch Garden Williamsburg costs an extravagant price of $87. There are many restaurants in highland, Virginia, offering various cuisines and options.
To know more about other adventurous excursions and trips in detail, read the best hikes in Virginia.
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10. Make a comparison table for living things
Given below is a list of essential parameters or living indices in a region. These parameters contribute to the livability index of a region. From the below table, you can clearly see that the Virginia cost of living is higher than the national average by a margin.
| Parameter | Index in Virginia | Index in the US |
| Grocery | 99.6 | 100 |
| Health | 102.4 | 100 |
| Housing | 111.8 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99.3 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99.4 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 100.5 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $329,200 | $291,700 |
Cost of Living in Virginia FAQs
Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Virginia?
Virginia is cheaper than Florida in all aspects of living conditions. Most of the jobs in Virginia belong to the service sector. The only thing cheaper in Florida is the taxation system with no personal taxes.
Transportation, childcare, sports, and leisure are cheaper in Virginia than in Florida. The cost of utilities is the only parameter that is more expensive in Virginia than in Florida. In general, Florida has a higher cost of living than Virginia. There are a lot more things to do in Norfolk, Virginia.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned about the cost of living in Virginia and its different parameters, would you consider moving to the state? The living costs in Virginia are slightly higher than the national average.
Transportation, housing costs, tax rates, energy and fuel sources, food, and groceries are the determining factors in a livability index of a place. The price of utilities is high in Virginia, whereas tax rates are considerably lower. Make sure to consider all the living costs before moving to Virginia cities.