C
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
53%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Blacksburg Virginia National
Cost of living114109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries98101100
Health care9299100
Housing153130100
Transportation8995100
Utilities94104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Blacksburg, VA

Understanding the cost of living in Blacksburg can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Blacksburg cost of living index is 114, which is 14% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

When it comes to the cost of living in Blacksburg, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 53.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Blacksburg?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 6 residents in Blacksburg to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Blacksburg Affordable?

Is Blacksburg an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Blacksburg is 67.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 20.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Blacksburg has a median household income of $41,711, which is 24.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Blacksburg?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Blacksburg, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Blacksburg comes in at 5.8% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Blacksburg, healthcare costs are 7.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Blacksburg cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Blacksburg is 4% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Blacksburg is 14% higher than the national average
  • Blacksburg housing is 53% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Blacksburg

See all the best places to live around Blacksburg

Compare Blacksburg, VA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$121,098$10,092$2,825$3,633
      Renters$21,441$1,787$500$643
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Blacksburg is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Blacksburg has a median income of about $121,098 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,825 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $21,441. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $500 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Blacksburg National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.83$24.2614.7%
      Beauty Salon $59.17$45.5629.9%
      Toothpaste $4.10$3.7010.8%
      Shampoo $1.72$1.2834.3%
      Movie $15.61$12.1328.7%
      Bowling $27.24$18.0051.4%

      Groceries

      Item Blacksburg National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.67$5.842.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.4%
      Potatoes $5.33$4.938.0%
      Pizza $12.62$12.094.4%
      Beer $11.14$10.417.0%

      Health Care

      Item Blacksburg National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $130.89$125.684.1%
      Doctor $159.79$135.7817.7%
      Dentist $125.44$113.2910.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.37$10.656.7%
      Lipitor $460.80$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Blacksburg National avg. Difference
      Home Price $309,800.00$184,700.0067.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,632.77$2,346.6997.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,141.00$949.0020.2%

      Transportation

      Item Blacksburg National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.51$3.461.3%
      Tire Balancing $80.00$59.9233.5%

      Utilities

      Item Blacksburg National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.62$193.993.4%
      Phone $184.83$192.253.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Snowville, VA65963.6%
      New River, VA370963.6%
      Lafayette, VA813963.6%
      Parrott, VA301963.6%
      Plum Creek, VA1,0668514.6%
      Blacksburg, VA44,39511413.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Innisfil, ON44,305n/a 
      Whitney, NV44,4881011.0%
      Haltom City, TX44,300982.1%
      Barnstable Town, MA44,49713535.2%
      Hackensack, NJ44,26613232.1%
      Blacksburg, VA44,39511413.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.