Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Scott County, VA

The median household in Scott County, VA earns $46,349 a year ($3,862/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,044/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $41,760 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$46,349$3,862 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,044HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)86.4-13.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population21,479Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,044Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$41,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,159At 30% of $46,349
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Scott County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA. 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 Scott County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$720$8,640$28,80018.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$818$9,816$32,72021.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,044$12,528$41,76027%
3-Bedroom Home$1,338$16,056$53,52034.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,464$17,568$58,56037.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Scott County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $46,349/year ($3,862/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,931/moRent ($1,044 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,159/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 86.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$772/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.

$46,349
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,349
Net 81%
Fed 7%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,570After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,131Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,445Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,382 / yr
Virginia state income tax$1,851 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,546 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Scott County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Scott County, VA is $46,349 per year (approximately $3,862 per month).

What is the average rent in Scott County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Scott County, VA are $720 for a studio, $818 for 1 bedroom, $1,044 for 2 bedrooms, $1,338 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,464 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Scott County, VA is 86.4 (13.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,044/month) in Scott County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $41,760 per year ($3,480 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $46,349/year ($3,862/month) in Scott County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,931/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,159/month to discretionary spending, and $772/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Scott 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.