A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
30%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Emporia Virginia National
Cost of living91109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing70130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100
New Real Estate Listings in Emporia Area
Search Homes for Sale in Emporia, VA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Emporia is 16% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Emporia is 9% lower than the national average
  • Emporia housing is 30% lower 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 Emporia

See all the best places to live around Emporia

Compare Emporia, VA Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Emporia?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Emporia?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Emporia poll results

      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$52,833$4,403$1,233$1,585
      Renters$24,104$2,009$562$723
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Emporia, VA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Emporia homeowners, is $52,833. This would allow for a maximum of $1,233 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $24,104 which would result in a maximum of $562 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Emporia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.00$24.2617.6%
      Beauty Salon $54.17$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.26$1.281.3%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $24.17$18.0034.3%

      Groceries

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.72$12.095.3%
      Beer $10.64$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $95.44$125.6824.1%
      Doctor $122.83$135.789.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.76$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $489.65$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $121,600.00$184,700.0034.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $756.00$949.0020.3%

      Transportation

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.5%
      Tire Balancing $60.00$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Emporia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.22$193.9917.1%
      Phone $185.33$192.253.6%
      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.
      Seaboard, NC7438515.2%
      Gaston, NC1,2908712.8%
      Jarratt, VA866946.0%
      Emporia, VA5,408918.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Brush, CO5,408991.0%
      Wind Lake, WI5,40711110.5%
      Zephyrhills West, FL5,4098416.3%
      Terrell Hills, TX5,40917271.8%
      Holdrege, NE5,4068415.5%
      Emporia, VA5,408918.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.