Cost of Living in Montgomery County, 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 Montgomery County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Montgomery County ranks #2,453 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 22%)
Sourced county brief
Montgomery County Median Gross Rent Exceeds State Unweighted Mean
The median gross rent in Montgomery County, Virginia, was estimated at $1,240 per month according to the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. This monthly cost is $70 above the Virginia unweighted county mean of $1,170. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) for renter households was 31.6%, a value that is 3.0 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 28.6%. Homeowners in the county faced median selected monthly owner costs of $1,028, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $1,190. Additionally, the median home value was $304,600, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $295,808. The median renter-household income for the period was $36,307. These figures provide a static overview of housing and income metrics and do not represent market trends. See ACS table B25064 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: Montgomery County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.6% of renter household income in Montgomery County, 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 $1,240 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,028. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $49,600 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. Montgomery County's $1,240 median is 6.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Montgomery County
Rent Burden
20.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,697
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.0%
of gross income
The median home in Montgomery County may be a stretch
Median home value is $304,600. Estimated monthly cost: $2,432 vs. your max of $1,697.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Montgomery County, Virginia?
What is the median rent in Montgomery County?
Is Montgomery County affordable?
How does Montgomery County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Montgomery County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Montgomery County, Virginia? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Montgomery County
Whether you're buying in Montgomery County, Virginia, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.