Cost of Living in Charlottesville city, Virginia
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Charlottesville city Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Charlottesville city ranks #2,936 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 7%)
Sourced county brief
Charlottesville Median Home Value Exceeds State Unweighted Mean by $190,892
The median home value in Charlottesville city was estimated at $486,700 according to the ACS 5-year estimates. This value is $190,892 higher than the Virginia unweighted county mean of $295,808. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,683, while the state unweighted mean was $1,190. Median gross rent in the city was $1,540 per month, which is $370 above the state unweighted county mean of $1,170. The median renter-household income was estimated at $48,462. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 33.5%. This official GRAPI figure differs from the Virginia unweighted county mean of 28.6% by 4.9 percentage points. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Charlottesville city
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 33.5% of renter household income in Charlottesville city, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,540 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,683. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $61,600 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Virginia unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,170 per month. Charlottesville city's $1,540 median is 31.6% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Charlottesville city
Rent Burden
24.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,746
per month
Owner Cost Burden
27.0%
of gross income
The median home in Charlottesville city may be a stretch
Median home value is $486,700. Estimated monthly cost: $3,885 vs. your max of $1,746.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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