Cost of Living in Smyth 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 Smyth County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Smyth County ranks #290 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 9%)
Sourced county brief
Smyth County median home value estimated at 139,600 dollars
The median home value in Smyth County was $139,600 according to the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. This value is $156,208 below the Virginia unweighted county mean of $295,808. The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) in the county was 27.8%, a figure that is 0.8 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 28.6%. The median gross rent was $731 per month, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $1,170. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $548, while the state unweighted county mean was $1,190. The median income for renter households was recorded at $32,517. These metrics provide a statistical overview of the county’s housing costs for the surveyed period and do not offer financial or investment advice. 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: Smyth County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.8% of renter household income in Smyth County, 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 $731 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $548. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,240 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. Smyth County's $731 median is 37.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Smyth County
Rent Burden
17.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,164
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Smyth County
Median home value is $139,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,114 vs. your max of $1,164.
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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