Cost of Living in Emporia 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 Emporia city Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Emporia city ranks #1,891 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 40%)
Sourced county brief
Emporia City Renter Median Income Estimated at $46,161
The median income for renter-occupied households in Emporia city was estimated at $46,161 for the 2020-2024 period. During this timeframe, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.8%, which is 0.2 percentage points higher than the Virginia unweighted county mean GRAPI of 28.6%. The median gross rent in the city was $1,037 per month, which is $133 below the state unweighted county mean of $1,170. For owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $808, lower than the state unweighted county mean of $1,190. The median home value in Emporia was $148,500, a figure $147,308 below the unweighted county mean of $295,808. These metrics offer a tenure-specific look at housing costs and household earnings as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. 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: Emporia city
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.8% of renter household income in Emporia city, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,037 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $808. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $41,480 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. Emporia city's $1,037 median is 11.4% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Emporia city
Rent Burden
24.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,211
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Emporia city
Median home value is $148,500. Estimated monthly cost: $1,186 vs. your max of $1,211.
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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