Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Staunton city, VA

The median household in Staunton city, VA earns $65,581 a year ($5,465/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,261/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $50,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$65,581$5,465 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,261HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.1-8.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population25,948Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Staunton city, VA

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,261Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,640At 30% of $65,581
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Staunton city, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Staunton-Stuarts Draft, 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 Staunton city, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,088$13,056$43,52019.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,095$13,140$43,80020%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,261$15,132$50,44023.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,734$20,808$69,36031.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,941$23,292$77,64035.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Staunton city, VA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Staunton city, VA

Based on the local median household income of $65,581/year ($5,465/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,733/moRent ($1,261 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,640/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,093/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.

$65,581
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$65,581
Net 79%
Fed 9%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,918After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,326Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,997Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,690 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,957 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,017 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Staunton city, VA

What is the median household income in Staunton city, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Staunton city, VA is $65,581 per year (approximately $5,465 per month).

What is the average rent in Staunton city, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Staunton city, VA are $1,088 for a studio, $1,095 for 1 bedroom, $1,261 for 2 bedrooms, $1,734 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,941 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Staunton city, VA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Staunton city, VA is 91.1 (8.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Staunton city, VA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,261/month) in Staunton city, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $50,440 per year ($4,203 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Staunton city, VA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $65,581/year ($5,465/month) in Staunton city, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,733/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,640/month to discretionary spending, and $1,093/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Staunton city, 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.