salaryRent is lower than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.3 minutes. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,800 a year. That is $19 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 15 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Radford?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Radford
| Size | Radford | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $723 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,100 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,324 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,414 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Radford 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 Radford
Life in Radford
What jobs pay in Radford
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $131,740 | 8.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,050 | 9.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | 9.3% |
| Software Developer | $111,630 | 10.4% |
| Lawyer | $106,500 | 10.9% |
| Operations Manager | $97,480 | 11.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $96,830 | 12.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,200 | 12.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,550 | 12.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,230 | 14.3% |
| Accountant | $74,800 | 15.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,790 | 18.5% |
| Electrician | $62,490 | 18.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,600 | 19.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,460 | 20.3% |
| Police Officer | $56,250 | 20.7% |
| Truck Driver | $53,980 | 21.6% |
| Plumber | $53,340 | 21.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,030 | 23.3% |
| Carpenter | $47,580 | 24.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,440 | 25.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,350 | 29.6% |
| Firefighter | $38,380 | 30.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,850 | 30.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,670 | 30.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,430 | 31.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,050 | 33.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,780 | 36.6% |
| Cashier | $28,770 | 40.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Radford?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $561 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $220,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,070 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Radford, VA?
Renting in Radford costs a median of about $970 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Radford?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,800 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Radford cheap or expensive?
Radford is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.8% of the typical household income of $61,850. It ranks 15th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Radford?
The median homeowner in Radford pays $1,581 a year in property taxes, about 0.72% of the median home value.
Is Radford 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 Radford?
The median home value in Radford is $220,700, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
16,726 people live in Radford. Numbers are typical (middle) values.