salaryRent is lower than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (62%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,160 a year. That is $26 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 39 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Emporia?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Emporia
| Size | Emporia | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $366 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $785 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,224 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,443 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Emporia 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 Emporia, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Emporia
Life in Emporia
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Emporia?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $299 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $148,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $14,850 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Emporia, VA?
Renting in Emporia costs a median of about $1,329 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Emporia?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,160 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Emporia cheap or expensive?
Emporia is rated OK: rent takes 28.5% of the typical household income of $55,973. It ranks 39th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Emporia?
The median homeowner in Emporia pays $1,171 a year in property taxes, about 0.79% of the median home value.
Is Emporia 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 Emporia?
The median home value in Emporia is $148,500, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
5,547 people live in Emporia. Numbers are typical (middle) values.