Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Lexington city, VA

The median household in Lexington city, VA earns $84,517 a year ($7,043/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,005/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$84,517$7,043 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,005HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population7,525Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Lexington city, VA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,005Monthly market rent
Share of gross income14.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,113At 30% of $84,517
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lexington 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.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Lexington city, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$870$10,440$34,80012.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$917$11,004$36,68013%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,005$12,060$40,20014.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,398$16,776$55,92019.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,686$20,232$67,44023.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Lexington city, VA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Lexington city, VA

Based on the local median household income of $84,517/year ($7,043/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,522/moRent ($1,005 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,113/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,409/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.

$84,517
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$84,517
Net 76%
Fed 12%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$64,242After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,354Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,471Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate24%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,764 / yr
Virginia state income tax$4,046 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,466 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lexington city, VA

What is the median household income in Lexington city, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lexington city, VA is $84,517 per year (approximately $7,043 per month).

What is the average rent in Lexington city, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lexington 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 Lexington city, VA compare to the national average?

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,005/month) in Lexington 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 Lexington city, VA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $84,517/year ($7,043/month) in Lexington city, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,522/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,113/month to discretionary spending, and $1,409/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lexington 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.