Cost of Living in Blacksburg, VA
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Blacksburg, VA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Blacksburg, VA?
With a price level of 92.7 (U.S. average = 100), Blacksburg, VA is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 26% below average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities are 12% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Blacksburg, VA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.7 | −7.3% |
| Housing | 74.4 | −25.6% |
| Goods | 96.8 | −3.2% |
| Utilities | 88.1 | −11.9% |
| Other services | 98.6 | −1.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Blacksburg, VA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $849 | $33,960/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $942 | $37,680/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,164 | $46,560/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,540 | $61,600/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,920 | $76,800/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Blacksburg, VA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Blacksburg, VA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $37,100 | $30,671 |
| $60,000 | $55,600 | $44,472 |
| $80,000 | $74,200 | $57,577 |
| $100,000 | $92,700 | $69,528 |
| $150,000 | $139,100 | $99,157 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Virginia 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Blacksburg, VA's median wage of $48,120 takes home about $3,241 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $942, which is 29% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,299 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Blacksburg, VA
- Federal income tax$3,594
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,983
- Medicare (1.45%)$698
- Virginia income tax$1,953
- Take-home pay$38,892
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Blacksburg, VA
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $45,950 | $37,273 | $40,204 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Virginia cities
Half of Virginia’s 4,109,320 workers earn less than $55,690 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $37,720–$89,420 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Washington, DC stretches a paycheck furthest, while Harrisonburg, VA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $71,060 | 108.9 | $1,990 | 43% | $2,639 | $51,017 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $49,430 | 97.9 | $1,508 | 45% | $1,814 | $40,707 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,460 | 97.9 | $1,505 | 44% | $1,944 | $42,289 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,140 | 93.6 | $1,020 | 32% | $2,160 | $40,762 |
| Kingsport, TN | $45,240 | 86.4 | $818 | 27% | $2,244 | $42,504 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $55,180 | 99.1 | $1,602 | 44% | $2,078 | $44,539 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $46,190 | 89.4 | $1,033 | 33% | $2,088 | $41,910 |
| Blacksburg, VA | $48,120 | 92.7 | $942 | 29% | $2,299 | $41,950 |
| Winchester, VA | $47,070 | 96.5 | $1,255 | 40% | $1,921 | $39,511 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $46,110 | 94.9 | $1,057 | 34% | $2,059 | $39,405 |
| Staunton, VA | $48,040 | 91.1 | $1,095 | 34% | $2,141 | $42,613 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Blacksburg, VA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg, VA | 92.7 | $942 | $48,120 | 74,070 |
| Rapid City, SD | 89.2 | $1,001 | $46,270 | 73,820 |
| Kahului, HI | 109.4 | $2,000 | $57,640 | 73,750 |
| Bloomington, IN | 95.1 | $1,036 | $47,660 | 73,240 |
| Sioux City, IA | 86.5 | $925 | $47,030 | 75,010 |
| Abilene, TX | 90.4 | $1,020 | $44,340 | 75,070 |
| Auburn, AL | 87.9 | $1,045 | $39,070 | 72,710 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksburg, VA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area are 92.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 74.4%. It is the #219 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Blacksburg, VA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $55,626 in Blacksburg, VA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $48,120.
Can you afford Blacksburg, VA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $48,120 median wage takes home about $3,241 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $942 would take 29% of that.
How much is rent in Blacksburg, VA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Blacksburg, VA are $849 for a studio, $942 for one bedroom, $1,164 for two bedrooms and $1,540 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Blacksburg, VA
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $45,950