Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Southampton County, VA

The median household in Southampton County, VA earns $70,795 a year ($5,900/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,051/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,040 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$70,795$5,900 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,051HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population17,964Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,051Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,770At 30% of $70,795
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Southampton County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Southampton County-Franklin city, VA HUD Nonmetro 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 Southampton County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$811$9,732$32,44013.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$817$9,804$32,68013.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,051$12,612$42,04017.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,346$16,152$53,84022.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,764$21,168$70,56029.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Southampton County, VA →

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

Based on the local median household income of $70,795/year ($5,900/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,950/moRent ($1,051 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,770/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,180/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.

$70,795
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$70,795
Net 78%
Fed 10%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,378After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,615Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,130Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,745 / yr
Virginia state income tax$3,257 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,416 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Southampton County, VA

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Southampton County, VA is $70,795 per year (approximately $5,900 per month).

What is the average rent in Southampton County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Southampton County, VA are $811 for a studio, $817 for 1 bedroom, $1,051 for 2 bedrooms, $1,346 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,764 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,051/month) in Southampton County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $42,040 per year ($3,503 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $70,795/year ($5,900/month) in Southampton County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,950/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,770/month to discretionary spending, and $1,180/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Southampton 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.