salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $33,560 a year. That is $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 6 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Big Stone Gap?
Share of households by yearly income. 9.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Big Stone Gap
| Size | Big Stone Gap | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $517 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $774 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $956 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Big Stone Gap overall?
Everyday prices in Virginia overall are 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Big Stone Gap, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Big Stone Gap
Life in Big Stone Gap
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Big Stone Gap?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $292 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $163,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Big Stone Gap, VA?
Renting in Big Stone Gap costs a median of about $839 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Big Stone Gap?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $33,560 a year, or $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Big Stone Gap cheap or expensive?
Big Stone Gap is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.1% of the typical household income of $58,866. It ranks 6th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Big Stone Gap?
The median homeowner in Big Stone Gap pays $1,013 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is Big Stone Gap more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Virginia are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Big Stone Gap?
The median home value in Big Stone Gap is $163,000, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
5,162 people live in Big Stone Gap. Numbers are typical (middle) values.