salaryRent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 17 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 62.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $62,200 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 54 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Charlottesville?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Charlottesville
| Size | Charlottesville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,334 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,337 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,676 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,909 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,716 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Charlottesville overall?
Everyday prices in the Charlottesville metro area are 1% below the U.S. average (index 99.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Charlottesville
Life in Charlottesville
What jobs pay in Charlottesville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $149,430 | 12.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,950 | 13.1% |
| Pharmacist | $142,220 | 13.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,540 | 14.0% |
| Software Developer | $128,520 | 14.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $110,290 | 16.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,690 | 17.3% |
| Operations Manager | $107,200 | 17.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,320 | 18.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $89,250 | 20.9% |
| Accountant | $81,530 | 22.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $72,010 | 25.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $67,120 | 27.8% |
| Electrician | $62,980 | 29.6% |
| Police Officer | $60,880 | 30.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,770 | 30.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,540 | 31.3% |
| Plumber | $56,510 | 33.0% |
| Carpenter | $56,090 | 33.3% |
| Truck Driver | $54,970 | 33.9% |
| Firefighter | $46,860 | 39.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,140 | 42.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $44,030 | 42.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,140 | 44.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,240 | 46.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,210 | 50.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,960 | 50.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,210 | 54.5% |
| Cashier | $30,930 | 60.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Charlottesville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,822 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $486,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Charlottesville, VA?
Renting in Charlottesville costs a median of about $1,555 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Charlottesville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $62,200 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Charlottesville cheap or expensive?
Charlottesville is rated OK: rent takes 23.1% of the typical household income of $80,698. It ranks 54th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Charlottesville?
The median homeowner in Charlottesville pays $3,915 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Charlottesville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Charlottesville?
The median home value in Charlottesville is $486,700, about 6.0 times the typical yearly household income.
45,437 people live in Charlottesville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.