Livability Score

83
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (26) A+
Entertainment (22) A+
Food and Drink (54) A+
Fitness (10) A+
Groceries (24) A+
Parks (83) A+
Shops (178) A+
See more Charlottesville amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 5.9% take public transportation in Charlottesville.
Public Transit Stops (138)
Stops & Stations
A+
Workers Taking Public Transit
5.9%
B
See more Charlottesville commute data

cost of living D+

The cost of living in Charlottesville is 119/100 - which is 9% higher than Virginia.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
A-
See more Charlottesville cost of living data

crime F

Charlottesville crime rates are 3,952 per 100k, which is 105% higher than Virginia
Property Crime
3,411 crimes per 100k
F
Violent Crime
541 crimes per 100k
F
See more Charlottesville crime data

employment B+

The median income in Charlottesville is $59,598 - which is 10% lower than Virginia.
Med. Household Income
$59,598
D+
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
A
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health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (24)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A-
See more Charlottesville health & safety data

housing B

Charlottesville home prices are $329,100 - which is 32% higher than Virginia
Home Price
$329,100
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
15%
A
Home Affordability
5.5x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Charlottesville housing data

schools A+

The Charlottesville graduation rate is 87% - which is 2% higher than Virginia
School Test Scores
76%
B+
High School Grad. Rates
87%
B-
Elementary Schools (42) A+
High Schools (10) A+
See more Charlottesville education data

ratings D+

Charlottesville has an overall rating of 57% from 29 reviews.
User Reviews (6)
From AreaVibes
D-
User Surveys (23)
From AreaVibes
B
See more Charlottesville user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Charlottesville, VA
( 29 Ratings )

Living in Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville Area Facts

  • Charlottesville has a Livability Score of 83/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Charlottesville crime rates are 105% higher than the Virginia average
  • Cost of living in Charlottesville is 9% higher than the Virginia average
New Real Estate Listings in Charlottesville Area
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Charlottesville Reviews

Write a review about Charlottesville Tell people what you like or don't like about Charlottesville…
Overrated & Obnoxiously Overpriced 2 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 14, 2020) It's not entirely terrible, but it's not great either. The preaching it gets does not justify what it is at all. Big deal, it's a mediocre college town with some history, and guess what Virginia, you're not the only state that has a college town with history. Everything would be ...Read More fine, but the locals absolutely do not want anyone non-native here. There is hostility towards northerners and they still identify as "southern." Throw on a fake southern accent and you might fit in, otherwise, you'll stand out if you're speaking clearly and piecing together logical sentences. Not kidding. There is a major wealth gap here. The area is home to some very wealthy people, but it's like you're living in twilight zone constantly because you see them escape to their vineyard mansions in Range Rovers while the poor young generations are struggling to make it at a fast-food joint or minimum wage jobs with not much industry around. The real estate is obnoxiously overpriced and does not justify the size of the home or property. Local work ethic though is actually horrible with poor morale. It probably used to be a great place, but everything declines eventually. Read Less
I'd Move Away If I Could 1 rating By Anonymous ( Aug 28, 2019) Like most people who live in Charlottesville I am not originally from the area. I ended up here while looking for new employment, and a place to live to be closer to family in the Mid-Atlantic. When I came to visit 3x for interviews and to explore the area I didn't get a great fe ...Read More eling but went against my gut because so many people I talked to said that they loved the city so much and its a wonderful place to live. After being here for about 3 years I can now say that I should have trusted my gut and stayed away.

I dislike the city and surrounding county for two main reasons; people are unfriendly/borderline outwardly angry AND the whole area lacks thoughtful (any?) planning which makes getting anywhere a hassle.

There is also a very noticeable crime element that seems to be ignored instead of addressed, which could go hand in hand with a general lack of police force. I would not want my wife of kids to walk in some neighborhoods regardless of the time of day and absolutely no where after dark and that includes the downtown mall. I see drunk/disorderly people at the grocery store, around stores and its very surprising for an area that demands a high income to live.

If you are considering a move to C'ville plan on having a very hard time finding a place to live and potentially paying for a dump sight unseen. Read Less
Loud and obnoxious 0.5 rating By Ashevillewithlove ( May 11, 2018) This place is horrible if you are respectable and not a douchebag. Its laughable at how this town tries to be something more than what it is. They integrate a hospital full of elderly or cancer patients at a hospitality house run by the hospital and put it around 10 frat houses t ...Read More hat are full of wannabes but dont know how to even throw a basic party with crap dj playlists from 2013, geez my 18yo son said they were playing a Nickelodeon song. The college and city integration is horrible. The food is nothing spectacular and everything is overpriced. What a pompous hole. Im sire the actual school is good but i can tell there is horrible city and school integration management going on. My advice...come to what vibe Charlottesville wishes they had...go to mission hospital and visit a real cultural town in the mountains. Read Less
OVERALL GREAT but OVERPRICED 4.5 rating By JLE ( Aug 17, 2017) This is more of a comment or observation. Charlottesville, Va is a lovely historic town overall that has a lot to offer not the least of which is its downtown and beautiful countryside around it, great views etc... However; when you take into account that it scored an F for co ...Read More st of living but a C- for crime and that most of its neighbors overall scored higher on here than Charlottesville to include scoring an A or A+ on crime.... Nota Bene Charlottesville realtors. :) Charlottesville is great, but so is________. Charlottesville is quaint, but so is__________. Charlottesville is historic but so isTHE ENTIRE STATE! I say this, but know its still on my short list of relocation destinations. :) Read Less
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Loud and obnoxious 0.5 rating By Ashevillewithlove ( May 11, 2018) This place is horrible if you are respectable and not a douchebag. Its laughable at how this town tries to be something more than what it is. They integrate a hospital full of elderly or cancer patients at a hospitality house run by the hospital and put it around 10 frat houses t ...Read More hat are full of wannabes but dont know how to even throw a basic party with crap dj playlists from 2013, geez my 18yo son said they were playing a Nickelodeon song. The college and city integration is horrible. The food is nothing spectacular and everything is overpriced. What a pompous hole. Im sire the actual school is good but i can tell there is horrible city and school integration management going on. My advice...come to what vibe Charlottesville wishes they had...go to mission hospital and visit a real cultural town in the mountains. Read Less
OVERALL GREAT but OVERPRICED 4.5 rating By JLE ( Aug 17, 2017) This is more of a comment or observation. Charlottesville, Va is a lovely historic town overall that has a lot to offer not the least of which is its downtown and beautiful countryside around it, great views etc... However; when you take into account that it scored an F for co ...Read More st of living but a C- for crime and that most of its neighbors overall scored higher on here than Charlottesville to include scoring an A or A+ on crime.... Nota Bene Charlottesville realtors. :) Charlottesville is great, but so is________. Charlottesville is quaint, but so is__________. Charlottesville is historic but so isTHE ENTIRE STATE! I say this, but know its still on my short list of relocation destinations. :) Read Less
Where it is 3 rating By Pragmatica ( Jul 02, 2016) This city has been for a long time the only place I felt welcomed. It is unfortunately ironic that over the course of my history as a local that I have been progressively cast out and even exiled from my home town. I miss the natural sights which are exceptionally beautiful, roll ...Read More ing hills, various hikes and superb treatment of strangers. The town itself has a classic appeal, and is considerably kind to those who do not involve themselves on a personal level with the people within the city themselves. I grew up in charolettesville and was born in Martha Jefferson hospital, a fine establishment to have been a part of. The Monticello hike is impressive, regardless of having no idea how to reach the summit or the actual building which is or was a magnificent building and genuinely rich in actual culture and history. The petrified tree is significant and as far as I know natural, although it is likely to assume it is unnatural. The actual city is intriguing with many hippy' both kind and ingenuine all over the place, giving the town a rather interesting vibe. Fights and brawls are not often held even in the bars unless you are genuinely not wanted by the establishment and/or people. It is in possession of a fantastic school that may genuinely be run by corrupt idiots where they incarcerate and cast out the victims of crimes. Although I am not speaking from any position more than personal knowledge. It is a town rampant with the law of the strong survive. So long as you pour the right drinks and threaten with a southern smile including point guns at the right people you won't even be sent to jail, much less fined. In fact your victim, like myself, will be sent on a downward slope until they are run out of town violently for fear of their life because of popular demand. Having endured a car accident around my 18th birthday I for not being sexually active via a suppression of my self confidence from locals after high school was subsequently kicked out of my sexual preference by popular demand. I recieved not so much as a medical examination upon arriving at UVA hospital and progressed to lose mindfulness and experience multiple levels of brain damage that resulted in the dethroning of my sanity and a progression of a lack of due process in my legal life resulting in a Pavlovian style of medical treatment. Including acceptance of criminals as dominant insight over my life, a destruction of confidence in my family, tests that resulted in no outcome of proper medical treatment and social castration from enduring a safe night life much less proper living conditions including multiple break ins that were regarded as legal because of imaginary debts that I was too "crazy" or other wise lacked insight to remember the origins of. Upon receiving what was called "proper" medical "help" I was humiliated and neglected by medical staff in ways that cite only my lack of insight as a reason for failing to treat me. Including denial of STD tests related to a lack of insight, despite peeing fire for 2 weeks at a time. Alas, I digress.The sorrounding country side is beautiful and thriving with deep connections to various parts of history including the mass of obviously illiterate and degenerate members of their society that just aren't invited to intellectual conversations or beliefs for a lack of Ivy League education heralded as overly pompous red necks who either know nothing or know it all, all in fact too much to be relatable to anything scientific, sane or worthy of attention. Unless it makes the right people laugh, which makes you all the more worthy to be reminded of and punished for your opinions, experience or beliefs for the entire stay of your American life.Upon making enemies with so much as the spoiled youth in this section of the world you proceed to become an enemy of nearly every educational system in the United States at least. If you encounter a problem your legal opportunities will be purged with the entire confidence of the student legal body. To so much as complain is to be compared to other defunct members of society which results in a life of endangerment leading to an exciting life on the run from any and all levels of society. This also destroys your family, health, and social standing no matter where in the US you go to. To believe this once "best place in America to" be a degenerate hovel is simply the insane ramblings of a defunct and valueless member of society. Who must be slandered at all hours of the day and night until they are obviously denied treatment for such traumatic punishments as being victimized by the mob at the price of justice etc.Luckily if you kiss ass or shine shoes properly you'll be lucky enough to be spit on, and jee willikers I sure was thirsty! In case you don't know how or the shoes you're shining have had a bad day you will be blessed with recognition in the form of a certainly amusing and not at all humiliating painting erected in your honor for all time! If so much as any member of this utopian kingdom has any problem with you there is obviously no hope in your life because as this city has oft proven, there is no purpose of faith, there is only money and if you aren't who we tell you to be or do as we say we will ban you from so much as having a bill of rights!In all seriousness, don't waste your time living or visiting this slowly but surely degrading town. For there is a chance you will no longer be welcomed as a human being at any civilized level of existence. I could have been born elsewhere, like Canada, and probably had more friends. I could have not written this and probably be harassed by the same members of society that are involved with defaming me to the people who would take this seriously, if it not for their word, degree, and/or money. I must say it is dangerous for you, your children, and anybody who does good things to be involved with or to visit this city. It is defunct and immoral itself and has I'm sure had countless strange and unseemly allegations throughout its unnatural history in the civilized world. If you wish for more details please by all means contact me. No harassments would be preferable but because of the elite nature of this town I am sure I have been harassed for so much as writing this review. Read Less
Diverse and Fun City 4 rating By ejenkins ( Mar 18, 2014) Charlottesville is a beautiful town with a lot to offer residents and tourists. This place boasts a wide array of people-yuppies, hippies, college kids, old population, and young families. It's a very interesting combination of people. There's actually a lot to do here and there ...Read More 's a lot of great restaurants and shopping.
The city is trying to become more public transportation oriented, and it shows. The walking mall is a great place for locals and visitors a like.
The town is overpriced in most areas and your money doesn't go nearly as far. The drivers are the worst kind of people. But the diversity and community is almost worth all of this! Read Less

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Compare Charlottesville, VA Livability

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      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Charlottesville? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Washington Park
      Jenkins Park
      McGuffey Park
      Schenk's Greenway
      Starr Hill Park
      Market Street Park
      Charlottesville and Albemarle County Courthouse Historic District
      Court Square Park

      Entertainment

      McGuffey Art Center
      Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
      Atelier ONE
      The Garage
      Violet Crown Cinema
      Art Upstairs
      The Jefferson Theatre
      C’ville Arts: A Cooperative Gallery

      Food & Drink

      Kardinal Hall
      Wendy's
      McDonald's
      Subway
      Virginia ABC
      Continental Divide
      Chaps Ice Cream
      Potbelly

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Charlottesville? Of all people who commute, 5.9% take public transportation in Charlottesville.
      Drive to Work
      59%

      18% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      6%

      1% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      13%

      10% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Charlottesville a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      University of Virginia Medical Center

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      Timberlake's Drug Store
      Kroger Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy

      Doctors

      Downtown Family Health Care
      Missy Sirch, PhD, LPC
      Albemarle County Health Department