Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Augusta County, VA

The median household in Augusta County, VA earns $82,049 a year ($6,837/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,261/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $50,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$82,049$6,837 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,261HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.1-8.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population78,033Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Augusta County, VA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,261Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,051At 30% of $82,049
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Augusta County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Augusta County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,088$13,056$43,52015.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,095$13,140$43,80016%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,261$15,132$50,44018.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,734$20,808$69,36025.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,941$23,292$77,64028.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Augusta County, VA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Augusta County, VA

Based on the local median household income of $82,049/year ($6,837/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,419/moRent ($1,261 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,051/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,367/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Virginia

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Virginia state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$82,049
$30,000$165,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$82,049
Net 76%
Fed 11%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$62,648After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,221Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,410Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,221 / yr
Virginia state income tax$3,904 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,277 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Virginia with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Augusta County, VA

What is the median household income in Augusta County, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Augusta County, VA is $82,049 per year (approximately $6,837 per month).

What is the average rent in Augusta County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Augusta County, VA are $1,088 for a studio, $1,095 for 1 bedroom, $1,261 for 2 bedrooms, $1,734 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,941 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Augusta County, VA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Augusta County, VA is 91.1 (8.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Augusta County, VA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,261/month) in Augusta County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $50,440 per year ($4,203 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Augusta County, VA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $82,049/year ($6,837/month) in Augusta County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,419/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,051/month to discretionary spending, and $1,367/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Augusta County, VA?

Residential electricity rates in Virginia average 17.2¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $155 per month.