salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $32,000 a year. That is $15 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 5 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in South Boston?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in South Boston
| Size | South Boston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $461 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $809 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $983 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,209 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is South Boston 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 South Boston, so the Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in South Boston
Life in South Boston
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in South Boston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $388 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $171,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,120 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South Boston, VA?
Renting in South Boston costs a median of about $800 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in South Boston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $32,000 a year, or $15 an hour at a full-time job.
Is South Boston cheap or expensive?
South Boston is rated OK: rent takes 20.2% of the typical household income of $47,510. It ranks 5th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in South Boston?
The median homeowner in South Boston pays $809 a year in property taxes, about 0.47% of the median home value.
Is South Boston 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 South Boston?
The median home value in South Boston is $171,200, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
7,853 people live in South Boston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.