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Charlottesville, VA

Cost of living in Nelson County, VA

Part of the Charlottesville Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,536/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 14,777 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,487 42%
Federal tax $526 15%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $355 10%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $202 6%
State tax $181 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Nelson County

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 Nelson County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$68,525
per year
Individual earnings
$42,223
per year
Per capita
$45,251
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Nelson County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$283,000
Annual property tax
$1,517

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Nelson 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 Nelson County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.7%

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 Nelson 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 Nelson County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.3 min
Drive alone
63.6%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
22.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Nelson County

What it costs to live in Nelson County each month.

Single person
$3,536
per month
  • Rent $1,487
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $526
  • State tax $181
Couple
$4,936
per month
  • Rent $1,729
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $791
  • State tax $307
Family
$7,524
per month
  • Rent $2,155
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $791
  • State tax $307

Frequently asked questions about Nelson County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Nelson County?

In Nelson County, 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 Nelson County?

In Nelson County, VA, the average household income is $68,525 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,223 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Nelson County?

The estimated cost of living in Nelson County, VA is approximately $3,536 per month for a single person, $4,936 for a couple, $7,524 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Nelson County?

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

Is Nelson County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Nelson County, VA would need approximately $3,536 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $68,525 per year ($5,710 per month). Nelson County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Nelson County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Nelson County, VA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Nelson County?

The average home value in Nelson County, VA is $283,000, with average annual property taxes of $1,517, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Nelson County compare to other areas?

You can compare Nelson County, VA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Nelson County 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 Nelson 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