salaryRent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.0 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.6 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,920 a year. That is $29 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 52 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Winchester?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Winchester
| Size | Winchester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $902 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,028 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,574 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,644 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,973 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Winchester overall?
Everyday prices in the Winchester metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Winchester
Life in Winchester
What jobs pay in Winchester
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $135,850 | 13.5% |
| Software Developer | $133,290 | 13.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,700 | 14.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,080 | 14.5% |
| Lawyer | $124,760 | 14.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,920 | 18.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | 18.2% |
| Operations Manager | $98,670 | 18.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $95,650 | 19.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $92,090 | 19.8% |
| Accountant | $77,660 | 23.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $66,920 | 27.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,200 | 29.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,090 | 30.4% |
| Electrician | $58,960 | 31.0% |
| Police Officer | $58,960 | 31.0% |
| Plumber | $57,760 | 31.6% |
| Truck Driver | $57,460 | 31.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,250 | 32.5% |
| Carpenter | $50,180 | 36.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,460 | 41.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,910 | 43.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,960 | 44.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,970 | 45.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,680 | 48.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,390 | 51.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,780 | 59.4% |
| Cashier | $29,600 | 61.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Winchester?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $857 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $343,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $34,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Winchester, VA?
Renting in Winchester costs a median of about $1,523 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Winchester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,920 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Winchester cheap or expensive?
Winchester is rated OK: rent takes 26.5% of the typical household income of $68,996. It ranks 52nd cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Winchester?
The median homeowner in Winchester pays $2,591 a year in property taxes, about 0.76% of the median home value.
Is Winchester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Winchester?
The median home value in Winchester is $343,000, about 5.0 times the typical yearly household income.
27,913 people live in Winchester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.