salaryRent is higher than in 73% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 17.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $84,360 a year. That is $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Virginia. It is number 106 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Buena Vista?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Buena Vista
| Size | Buena Vista | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $708 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $924 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,248 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,418 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Buena Vista
Life in Buena Vista
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Buena Vista?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $1,025 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $156,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,620 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Buena Vista, VA?
Renting in Buena Vista costs a median of about $2,109 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Buena Vista?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $84,360 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Buena Vista cheap or expensive?
Buena Vista is rated Expensive: rent takes 40.6% of the typical household income of $62,373. It ranks 106th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Buena Vista?
The median homeowner in Buena Vista pays $1,421 a year in property taxes, about 0.91% of the median home value.
Is Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista?
The median home value in Buena Vista is $156,200, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
6,593 people live in Buena Vista. Numbers are typical (middle) values.