Cost of Living in Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Richmond, VA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Richmond, VA?
With a price level of 97.9 (U.S. average = 100), Richmond, VA is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs cost about the same as the national average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities are 11% 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 utilities.
Prices in Richmond, VA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 97.9 | −2.1% |
| Housing | 99.1 | −0.9% |
| Goods | 96.8 | −3.2% |
| Utilities | 89.2 | −10.8% |
| Other services | 98.6 | −1.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Richmond, VA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,440 | $57,600/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,505 | $60,200/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,653 | $66,120/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,069 | $82,760/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,550 | $102,000/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $39,100 | $32,163 |
| $60,000 | $58,700 | $46,784 |
| $80,000 | $78,300 | $60,226 |
| $100,000 | $97,900 | $72,888 |
| $150,000 | $146,800 | $103,977 |
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 Richmond, VA's median wage of $51,460 takes home about $3,449 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,505, which is 44% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $1,944 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Richmond, VA
- Federal income tax$3,995
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,191
- Medicare (1.45%)$746
- Virginia income tax$2,145
- Take-home pay$41,383
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Richmond, VA
*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.
Richmond, VA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | 97.9 | $1,505 | $51,460 | 660,350 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 90.4 | $1,002 | $47,230 | 677,680 |
| Louisville, KY | 93.1 | $1,026 | $48,370 | 685,190 |
| Memphis, TN | 92.2 | $1,137 | $46,890 | 611,670 |
| Providence, RI | 101.8 | $1,423 | $53,680 | 714,120 |
| Hartford, CT | 102.7 | $1,477 | $59,940 | 599,770 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 95.5 | $1,242 | $47,570 | 598,260 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Richmond, VA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Richmond, VA metro area are 97.9% of the U.S. average, with housing at 99.1%. It is the #116 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Richmond, VA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $58,715 in Richmond, VA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $51,460.
Can you afford Richmond, VA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $51,460 median wage takes home about $3,449 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,505 would take 44% of that.
How much is rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Richmond, VA are $1,440 for a studio, $1,505 for one bedroom, $1,653 for two bedrooms and $2,069 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Richmond, VA
Management Occupations
- Financial Manager — $173,140
- General and Operations Manager — $108,670
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $102,170
- Management Analyst — $95,660
- Accountant and Auditor — $84,220
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $82,370
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $81,660
- Human Resources Specialist — $79,340
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $78,420
- Compliance Officer — $77,060
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $132,120
- Computer Systems Analyst — $105,190
- Computer User Support Specialist — $60,790
Community and Social Service Occupations
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $144,910
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $62,000
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $61,350
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,290
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $37,050
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $35,230
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $93,580
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,030
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $44,490
- Nursing Assistant — $42,720
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $29,360
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $62,720
- Security Guard — $36,960
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,580
- Waiter and Waitress — $38,470
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,080
- Food Preparation Worker — $33,650
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,500
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $37,170
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $34,200
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $33,470
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Childcare Worker — $33,570
Sales and Related Occupations
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $73,500
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $63,180
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $61,510
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,380
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $46,520
- Retail Salesperson — $33,580
- Cashier — $30,350
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $64,690
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $51,400
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,840
- Office Clerks, General — $46,320
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $44,450
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $44,310
- Customer Service Representative — $42,660
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $36,400
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $76,630
- Electrician — $61,350
- Carpenter — $51,870
- Construction Laborer — $42,410
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $78,990
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $61,510
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $59,130
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,730
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $39,060
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $60,060
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $58,190
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,920
- Light Truck Driver — $41,720
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,270
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,180