Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Shenandoah County, VA

The median household in Shenandoah County, VA earns $67,191 a year ($5,599/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,091/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $43,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$67,191$5,599 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,091HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population44,925Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,091Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$43,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,680At 30% of $67,191
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Shenandoah County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$849$10,188$33,96015.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$855$10,260$34,20015.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,091$13,092$43,64019.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,394$16,728$55,76024.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,523$18,276$60,92027.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Shenandoah County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $67,191/year ($5,599/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,800/moRent ($1,091 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,680/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,120/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.

$67,191
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$67,191
Net 79%
Fed 9%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,049After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,421Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,040Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,952 / yr
Virginia state income tax$3,049 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,140 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Shenandoah County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Shenandoah County, VA is $67,191 per year (approximately $5,599 per month).

What is the average rent in Shenandoah County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Shenandoah County, VA are $849 for a studio, $855 for 1 bedroom, $1,091 for 2 bedrooms, $1,394 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,523 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,091/month) in Shenandoah County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $43,640 per year ($3,637 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $67,191/year ($5,599/month) in Shenandoah County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,800/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,680/month to discretionary spending, and $1,120/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Shenandoah 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.