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Charlottesville, VA

Cost of living in Charlottesville city, VA

Part of the Charlottesville Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,453/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 45,863 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,487 43%
Healthcare $480 14%
Federal tax $462 13%
Groceries $355 10%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $202 6%
State tax $162 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Charlottesville city

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,404
per month
1 bedroom
$1,487
per month
2 bedroom
$1,729
per month
3 bedroom
$2,155
per month
4 bedroom
$2,621
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Charlottesville city

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$69,829
per year
Individual earnings
$38,285
per year
Per capita
$48,395
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Charlottesville city

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$448,400
Annual property tax
$3,649

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Charlottesville city

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 Charlottesville city

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.8%

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 Charlottesville city

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 Charlottesville city

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
16.9 min
Drive alone
53.2%
Public transit
5.5%
Work from home
19.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Charlottesville city

What it costs to live in Charlottesville city each month.

Single person
$3,453
per month
  • Rent $1,487
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $462
  • State tax $162
Couple
$4,964
per month
  • Rent $1,729
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $813
  • State tax $313
Family
$7,552
per month
  • Rent $2,155
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $813
  • State tax $313

Frequently asked questions about Charlottesville city

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Charlottesville city?

In Charlottesville city, VA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,487 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,729 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,155 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Charlottesville city?

In Charlottesville city, VA, the average household income is $69,829 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,285 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Charlottesville city?

The estimated cost of living in Charlottesville city, VA is approximately $3,453 per month for a single person, $4,964 for a couple, $7,552 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Charlottesville city?

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

Is Charlottesville city an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Charlottesville city, VA would need approximately $3,453 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $69,829 per year ($5,819 per month). Charlottesville city has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Charlottesville city?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Charlottesville city, VA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Charlottesville city?

The average home value in Charlottesville city, VA is $448,400, with average annual property taxes of $3,649, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Charlottesville city compare to other areas?

You can compare Charlottesville city, VA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Charlottesville city is in the Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville city 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