salaryRent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,640 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 42 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Staunton?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Staunton
| Size | Staunton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,252 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $861 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $999 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,395 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,155 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Staunton overall?
Everyday prices in the Staunton-Stuarts Draft metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Staunton
Life in Staunton
What jobs pay in Staunton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $138,030 | 11.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,580 | 12.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,710 | 13.0% |
| Software Developer | $115,610 | 14.2% |
| Lawyer | $103,530 | 15.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,350 | 16.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,530 | 16.8% |
| Operations Manager | $96,450 | 17.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,390 | 17.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,380 | 17.9% |
| Accountant | $77,300 | 21.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,660 | 23.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,680 | 25.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,350 | 26.3% |
| Electrician | $62,150 | 26.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,680 | 27.0% |
| Truck Driver | $57,200 | 28.7% |
| Police Officer | $56,640 | 28.9% |
| Plumber | $51,250 | 32.0% |
| Firefighter | $49,410 | 33.2% |
| Carpenter | $48,620 | 33.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,310 | 34.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,490 | 38.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,230 | 39.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,410 | 41.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,910 | 43.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,900 | 45.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,440 | 49.0% |
| Cashier | $29,530 | 55.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Staunton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $432 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $259,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,920 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Staunton, VA?
Renting in Staunton costs a median of about $1,366 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Staunton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,640 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Staunton cheap or expensive?
Staunton is rated OK: rent takes 23.2% of the typical household income of $70,729. It ranks 42nd cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Staunton?
The median homeowner in Staunton pays $1,818 a year in property taxes, about 0.70% of the median home value.
Is Staunton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Staunton?
The median home value in Staunton is $259,200, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
25,948 people live in Staunton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.