Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Louisa County, VA

The median household in Louisa County, VA earns $86,689 a year ($7,224/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,247/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $49,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$86,689$7,224 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,247HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population39,980Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,247Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,167At 30% of $86,689
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Louisa County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Louisa 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 Louisa County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,080$12,960$43,20014.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,138$13,656$45,52015.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,247$14,964$49,88017.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,734$20,808$69,36024%
4-Bedroom Home$1,950$23,400$78,00027%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Louisa County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $86,689/year ($7,224/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,612/moRent ($1,247 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,167/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,445/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.

$86,689
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$86,689
Net 76%
Fed 12%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$65,645After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,470Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,525Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate24.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,242 / yr
Virginia state income tax$4,171 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,632 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Louisa County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Louisa County, VA is $86,689 per year (approximately $7,224 per month).

What is the average rent in Louisa County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Louisa County, VA are $1,080 for a studio, $1,138 for 1 bedroom, $1,247 for 2 bedrooms, $1,734 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,950 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,247/month) in Louisa County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $49,880 per year ($4,157 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $86,689/year ($7,224/month) in Louisa County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,612/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,167/month to discretionary spending, and $1,445/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Louisa 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.