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Lynchburg, VA

Cost of living in Amherst County, VA

Part of the Lynchburg Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,155/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 31,385 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,062 34%
Federal tax $506 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $355 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $202 6%
State tax $175 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Amherst County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,043
per month
1 bedroom
$1,062
per month
2 bedroom
$1,200
per month
3 bedroom
$1,647
per month
4 bedroom
$1,785
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Amherst County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,298
per year
Individual earnings
$40,998
per year
Per capita
$36,275
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Amherst County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$197,200
Annual property tax
$997

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Amherst County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$153
per month · 14.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$49
per month
Annual total
$2,424
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Amherst County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Amherst County

State and local tax rates for Virginia.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.3%
Combined sales tax
5.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Amherst County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.4 min
Drive alone
79.1%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
9.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Amherst County

What it costs to live in Amherst County each month.

Single person
$3,155
per month
  • Rent $1,062
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $506
  • State tax $175
Couple
$4,451
per month
  • Rent $1,200
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $771
  • State tax $301
Family
$7,060
per month
  • Rent $1,647
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $771
  • State tax $301

Frequently asked questions about Amherst County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Amherst County?

In Amherst County, VA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,062 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,200 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,647 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Amherst County?

In Amherst County, VA, the average household income is $67,298 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,998 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Amherst County?

The estimated cost of living in Amherst County, VA is approximately $3,155 per month for a single person, $4,451 for a couple, $7,060 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Amherst County?

The combined sales tax rate in Amherst County, VA is 5.75%, which includes the Virginia state rate of 5.30% plus an average local rate of 0.45%.

Is Amherst County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Amherst County, VA would need approximately $3,155 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,298 per year ($5,608 per month). Amherst County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Amherst County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Amherst County, VA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Amherst County?

The average home value in Amherst County, VA is $197,200, with average annual property taxes of $997, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Amherst County compare to other areas?

You can compare Amherst County, VA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Amherst County is in the Lynchburg, VA metro area.

Other counties in Virginia

Browse the full list of counties in Virginia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Virginia

Compare Amherst County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources