Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$50,404$4,200 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Bristol city, VA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Bristol city, VA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $720 | $8,640 | $28,800 | 17.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $818 | $9,816 | $32,720 | 19.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,044 | $12,528 | $41,760 | 24.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,338 | $16,056 | $53,520 | 31.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,464 | $17,568 | $58,560 | 34.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Bristol city, VA
Based on the local median household income of $50,404/year ($4,200/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Virginia with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Bristol city, VA
What is the median household income in Bristol city, VA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bristol city, VA is $50,404 per year (approximately $4,200 per month).
What is the average rent in Bristol city, VA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Bristol city, VA are $720 for a studio, $818 for 1 bedroom, $1,044 for 2 bedrooms, $1,338 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,464 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Bristol city, VA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Bristol city, VA is 86.4 (13.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bristol city, VA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,044/month) in Bristol city, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $41,760 per year ($3,480 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Bristol city, VA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $50,404/year ($4,200/month) in Bristol city, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,100/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,260/month to discretionary spending, and $840/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Bristol city, 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.