Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Lee County, VA

The median household in Lee County, VA earns $41,827 a year ($3,486/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $914/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $36,560 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$41,827$3,486 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$914HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population21,900Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$914Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,046At 30% of $41,827
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lee County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lee County, VA. 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 Lee County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$693$8,316$27,72019.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$697$8,364$27,88020%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$914$10,968$36,56026.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,226$14,712$49,04035.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,429$17,148$57,16041%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Lee County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $41,827/year ($3,486/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,743/moRent ($914 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,046/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$697/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.

$41,827
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$41,827
Net 82%
Fed 7%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,197After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,850Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,315Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,839 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,591 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,200 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lee County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lee County, VA is $41,827 per year (approximately $3,486 per month).

What is the average rent in Lee County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lee County, VA are $693 for a studio, $697 for 1 bedroom, $914 for 2 bedrooms, $1,226 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,429 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lee County, 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 Lee County, VA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($914/month) in Lee County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,560 per year ($3,047 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $41,827/year ($3,486/month) in Lee County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,743/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,046/month to discretionary spending, and $697/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lee 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.