salaryRent is higher than in 72% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $82,600 a year. That is $40 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 103 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Laurel?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Laurel
| Size | Laurel | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,186 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,453 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,669 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,961 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,053 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Laurel 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 Laurel, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Laurel
Life in Laurel
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laurel?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $97 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $283,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Laurel, VA?
Renting in Laurel costs a median of about $2,065 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Laurel?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $82,600 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Laurel cheap or expensive?
Laurel is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.2% of the typical household income of $79,387. It ranks 103rd cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Laurel?
The median homeowner in Laurel pays $2,036 a year in property taxes, about 0.72% of the median home value.
Is Laurel 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 Laurel?
The median home value in Laurel is $283,600, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
18,721 people live in Laurel. Numbers are typical (middle) values.