Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Pulaski County, VA

The median household in Pulaski County, VA earns $62,028 a year ($5,169/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $921/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $36,840 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$62,028$5,169 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$921HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.7-7.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population33,687Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$921Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,840To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,551At 30% of $62,028
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Pulaski County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Pulaski County, 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 Pulaski County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$699$8,388$27,96013.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$840$10,080$33,60016.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$921$11,052$36,84017.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,252$15,024$50,08024.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,545$18,540$61,80029.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Pulaski County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $62,028/year ($5,169/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,585/moRent ($921 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,551/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,034/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.

$62,028
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$62,028
Net 79%
Fed 8%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,267After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,106Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,895Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,263 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,753 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,745 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Pulaski County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Pulaski County, VA is $62,028 per year (approximately $5,169 per month).

What is the average rent in Pulaski County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Pulaski County, VA are $699 for a studio, $840 for 1 bedroom, $921 for 2 bedrooms, $1,252 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,545 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Pulaski County, VA is 92.7 (7.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($921/month) in Pulaski County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,840 per year ($3,070 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $62,028/year ($5,169/month) in Pulaski County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,585/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,551/month to discretionary spending, and $1,034/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Pulaski 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.