Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Orange County, VA

The median household in Orange County, VA earns $94,008 a year ($7,834/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,234/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $49,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$94,008$7,834 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,234HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population37,822Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,234Monthly market rent
Share of gross income15.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,350At 30% of $94,008
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Orange County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Orange 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 Orange County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,005$12,060$40,20012.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,012$12,144$40,48012.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,234$14,808$49,36015.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,716$20,592$68,64021.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,929$23,148$77,16024.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Orange County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $94,008/year ($7,834/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,917/moRent ($1,234 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,350/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,567/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.

$94,008
$35,000$190,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$94,008
Net 75%
Fed 13%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$70,373After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,864Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,707Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$11,852 / yr
Virginia state income tax$4,591 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,192 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Orange County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Orange County, VA is $94,008 per year (approximately $7,834 per month).

What is the average rent in Orange County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Orange County, VA are $1,005 for a studio, $1,012 for 1 bedroom, $1,234 for 2 bedrooms, $1,716 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,929 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,234/month) in Orange County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $49,360 per year ($4,113 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $94,008/year ($7,834/month) in Orange County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,917/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,350/month to discretionary spending, and $1,567/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Orange 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.