Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$74,824$6,235 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Charlottesville city, VA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Charlottesville city, VA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Charlottesville, 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 | $1,421 | $17,052 | $56,840 | 22.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,602 | $19,224 | $64,080 | 25.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,824 | $21,888 | $72,960 | 29.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,218 | $26,616 | $88,720 | 35.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,731 | $32,772 | $109,240 | 43.8% |
See dedicated rental breakdown for Charlottesville city, VA →
50/30/20 Living Budget in Charlottesville city, VA
Based on the local median household income of $74,824/year ($6,235/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 Charlottesville city, VA
What is the median household income in Charlottesville city, VA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Charlottesville city, VA is $74,824 per year (approximately $6,235 per month).
What is the average rent in Charlottesville city, VA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Charlottesville city, VA are $1,421 for a studio, $1,602 for 1 bedroom, $1,824 for 2 bedrooms, $2,218 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,731 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Charlottesville city, VA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Charlottesville city, VA is 99.1 (0.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Charlottesville city, VA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,824/month) in Charlottesville city, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $72,960 per year ($6,080 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Charlottesville city, VA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $74,824/year ($6,235/month) in Charlottesville city, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,118/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,871/month to discretionary spending, and $1,247/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Charlottesville 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.