Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$57,833$4,819 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Buena Vista city, VA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Buena Vista city, VA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Rockbridge County-Buena Vista city-Lexington city, VA HUD Nonmetr. 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 | $870 | $10,440 | $34,800 | 18.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $917 | $11,004 | $36,680 | 19% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,005 | $12,060 | $40,200 | 20.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,398 | $16,776 | $55,920 | 29% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,686 | $20,232 | $67,440 | 35% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Buena Vista city, VA
Based on the local median household income of $57,833/year ($4,819/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 Buena Vista city, VA
What is the median household income in Buena Vista city, VA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Buena Vista city, VA is $57,833 per year (approximately $4,819 per month).
What is the average rent in Buena Vista city, VA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Buena Vista city, VA are $870 for a studio, $917 for 1 bedroom, $1,005 for 2 bedrooms, $1,398 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,686 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Buena Vista city, VA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Buena Vista city, VA is 101.1 (1.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Buena Vista city, VA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,005/month) in Buena Vista city, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $40,200 per year ($3,350 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Buena Vista city, VA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $57,833/year ($4,819/month) in Buena Vista city, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,410/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,446/month to discretionary spending, and $964/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Buena Vista 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.