salaryRent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 14.8 minutes. Most households rent (64%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 69.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $62,280 a year. That is $30 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 55 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Blacksburg?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Blacksburg
| Size | Blacksburg | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,384 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,132 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,368 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,788 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,039 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Blacksburg overall?
Everyday prices in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Blacksburg
Life in Blacksburg
What jobs pay in Blacksburg
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $131,740 | 14.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,050 | 14.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | 15.0% |
| Software Developer | $111,630 | 16.7% |
| Lawyer | $106,500 | 17.5% |
| Operations Manager | $97,480 | 19.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,830 | 19.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,200 | 19.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,550 | 20.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,230 | 23.0% |
| Accountant | $74,800 | 25.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,790 | 29.8% |
| Electrician | $62,490 | 29.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,600 | 30.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,460 | 32.5% |
| Police Officer | $56,250 | 33.2% |
| Truck Driver | $53,980 | 34.6% |
| Plumber | $53,340 | 35.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,030 | 37.3% |
| Carpenter | $47,580 | 39.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,440 | 40.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,350 | 47.5% |
| Firefighter | $38,380 | 48.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,850 | 49.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,670 | 49.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,430 | 49.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,050 | 53.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,780 | 58.8% |
| Cashier | $28,770 | 64.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Blacksburg?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,540 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $446,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,630 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Blacksburg, VA?
Renting in Blacksburg costs a median of about $1,557 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Blacksburg?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $62,280 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Blacksburg cheap or expensive?
Blacksburg is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.5% of the typical household income of $54,121. It ranks 55th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Blacksburg?
The median homeowner in Blacksburg pays $3,460 a year in property taxes, about 0.78% of the median home value.
Is Blacksburg more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Blacksburg?
The median home value in Blacksburg is $446,300, about 8.2 times the typical yearly household income.
45,446 people live in Blacksburg. Numbers are typical (middle) values.