Cost of Living in Staunton, VA
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Staunton, VA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Staunton, VA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.1 | −8.9% |
| Housing | 68.2 | −31.8% |
| Goods | 96.8 | −3.2% |
| Utilities | 89.5 | −10.5% |
| Other services | 98.6 | −1.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Staunton, VA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,088 | $43,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,095 | $43,800/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,261 | $50,440/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,734 | $69,360/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,941 | $77,640/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Staunton, VA
- Federal income tax$3,585
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,978
- Medicare (1.45%)$697
- Virginia income tax$1,948
- Take-home pay$38,832
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Staunton, VA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Staunton, VA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA metro area are 91.1% of the U.S. average, with housing at 68.2%. It is the #266 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Staunton, VA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $54,677 in Staunton, VA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $48,040.
How much is rent in Staunton, VA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Staunton, VA are $1,088 for a studio, $1,095 for one bedroom, $1,261 for two bedrooms and $1,734 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Staunton, VA
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $96,450
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $72,990
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $60,680
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,710
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $92,390
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $42,490
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $28,520
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiter and Waitress — $37,910
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,900
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,310
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $47,750
- Retail Salesperson — $33,440
- Cashier — $29,530
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $43,630
- Customer Service Representative — $41,230
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,860
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,970
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,200
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $47,310
- Light Truck Driver — $42,260
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,880