Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Chesterfield County, VA

The median household in Chesterfield County, VA earns $101,931 a year ($8,494/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,655/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $66,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 2.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$101,931$8,494 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,655HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)97.9-2.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population377,869Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,655Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$66,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,548At 30% of $101,931
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Chesterfield County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Richmond, VA HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Chesterfield County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,442$17,304$57,68017%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,507$18,084$60,28017.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,655$19,860$66,20019.5%
3-Bedroom Home$2,072$24,864$82,88024.4%
4-Bedroom Home$2,553$30,636$102,12030.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Chesterfield County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $101,931/year ($8,494/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$4,247/moRent ($1,655 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,548/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 97.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,699/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.

$101,931
$40,000$205,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$101,931
Net 74%
Fed 13%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$75,492After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,291Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,904Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$13,595 / yr
Virginia state income tax$5,047 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,798 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Chesterfield County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Chesterfield County, VA is $101,931 per year (approximately $8,494 per month).

What is the average rent in Chesterfield County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Chesterfield County, VA are $1,442 for a studio, $1,507 for 1 bedroom, $1,655 for 2 bedrooms, $2,072 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,553 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Chesterfield County, VA is 97.9 (2.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,655/month) in Chesterfield County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $66,200 per year ($5,517 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $101,931/year ($8,494/month) in Chesterfield County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,247/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,548/month to discretionary spending, and $1,699/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Chesterfield 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.