Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,943$4,412 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Wise County, VA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wise County, VA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wise County-Norton 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.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $692 | $8,304 | $27,680 | 15.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $697 | $8,364 | $27,880 | 15.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $914 | $10,968 | $36,560 | 20.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,205 | $14,460 | $48,200 | 27.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,429 | $17,148 | $57,160 | 32.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Wise County, VA
Based on the local median household income of $52,943/year ($4,412/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Virginia with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wise County, VA
What is the median household income in Wise County, VA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wise County, VA is $52,943 per year (approximately $4,412 per month).
What is the average rent in Wise County, VA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wise County, VA are $692 for a studio, $697 for 1 bedroom, $914 for 2 bedrooms, $1,205 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,429 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Wise County, VA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wise 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 Wise County, VA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($914/month) in Wise County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,560 per year ($3,047 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Wise County, VA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,943/year ($4,412/month) in Wise County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,206/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,324/month to discretionary spending, and $882/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wise 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.