#1Pearisburg
Giles County · 2,873 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 3.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #169 of 249 in VA
Pearisburg, #1 on this list · Photo: Taber Andrew Bain · CC BY 2.0Virginia rankings · Cost of living
Most affordable towns in Virginia
Pearisburg ranks first on cost of living among Virginia’s 253 towns of 2,500+; 17 of the 253 grade A− or better on cost of living nationally.
The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). How grades work
#1A+
#2Clifton Forge
Alleghany County · 3,372 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 2.6 years of area income·Overall C− · #211 of 249 in VA
#3Lake Wilderness
unincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 3,139 peopleCost of living grade, homes cost 2.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #92 of 249 in VA
All 253 towns
Cost of living grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
253 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeHome price · overall
3Lake Wildernessunincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 3,139 peopleA2.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #92 of 249
5Ettrickunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 5,910 peopleA2.4 years of area income·Overall A− · #95 of 249
7Madison Heightsunincorporated, Amherst County · 10,266 peopleA−3.6 years of area income·Overall B− · #166 of 249
14Weyers Caveunincorporated, Augusta County · 2,744 peopleA−4.8 years of area income·Overall A− · #90 of 249
17Shenandoah Farmsunincorporated, Clarke County · 4,179 peopleA−2.2 years of area income·Overall C− · #218 of 249
21Dahlgrenunincorporated, King George County · 3,350 peopleB+3.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #118 of 249
23King Georgeunincorporated, King George County · 4,851 peopleB+4.0 years of area income·Overall B+ · #127 of 249
25Veronaunincorporated, Augusta County · 4,165 peopleB+4.3 years of area income·Overall A · #57 of 249
29Shawneelandunincorporated, Frederick County · 2,754 peopleB+3.2 years of area income·Overall B · #160 of 249
31Spotsylvania Courthouseunincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 7,180 peopleB+3.1 years of area income·Overall C+ · #195 of 249
34Timberlakeunincorporated, Campbell County · 12,725 peopleB+3.4 years of area income·Overall A · #73 of 249
35Gloucester Courthouseunincorporated, Gloucester County · 3,336 peopleB+4.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #100 of 249
37Matoacaunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 2,724 peopleB2.9 years of area income·Overall C− · #212 of 249
40Bellwoodunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 7,907 peopleB3.7 years of area income·Overall C+ · #197 of 249
41Seven Cornersunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,371 peopleB2.5 years of area income·Overall A− · #89 of 249
43Sandstonunincorporated, Henrico County · 7,399 peopleB3.7 years of area income·Overall C+ · #191 of 249
44Bealetonunincorporated, Fauquier County · 5,034 peopleB4.0 years of area income·Overall B+ · #135 of 249
49Collinsvilleunincorporated, Henry County · 7,139 peopleB3.4 years of area income·Overall D · #234 of 249
50Colonial HeightsColonial Heights city · 18,738 peopleB3.4 years of area income·Overall C+ · #186 of 249
51Chamberlayneunincorporated, Henrico County · 4,692 peopleB4.3 years of area income·Overall B · #147 of 249
52Gloucester Pointunincorporated, Gloucester County · 11,109 peopleB4.2 years of area income·Overall B · #158 of 249
53Montroseunincorporated, Henrico County · 8,285 peopleB2.9 years of area income·Overall C · #203 of 249
54Falmouthunincorporated, Stafford County · 5,216 peopleB3.5 years of area income·Overall A · #71 of 249
55Lake Monticellounincorporated, Fluvanna County · 10,662 peopleB3.5 years of area income·Overall A · #51 of 249
59Stuarts Draftunincorporated, Augusta County · 11,780 peopleB−4.9 years of area income·Overall B− · #171 of 249
60Blue Ridgeunincorporated, Botetourt County · 2,800 peopleB−4.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #96 of 249
62Highland Springsunincorporated, Henrico County · 14,296 peopleB−3.0 years of area income·Overall C · #204 of 249
63Bensleyunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 5,949 peopleB−3.0 years of area income·Overall C · #207 of 249
67Cloverdaleunincorporated, Botetourt County · 3,208 peopleB−4.4 years of area income·Overall A · #74 of 249
68East Highland Parkunincorporated, Henrico County · 15,265 peopleB−2.6 years of area income·Overall C+ · #192 of 249
70Marshallunincorporated, Fauquier County · 3,219 peopleB−5.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #137 of 249
77Aquia Harbourunincorporated, Stafford County · 7,481 peopleB−3.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #99 of 249
79FredericksburgFredericksburg city · 30,393 peopleB−3.8 years of area income·Overall C− · #219 of 249
82Lakesideunincorporated, Henrico County · 12,654 peopleC+3.9 years of area income·Overall B · #165 of 249
83Enonunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 4,137 peopleC+2.9 years of area income·Overall B · #154 of 249
84Lake of the Woodsunincorporated, Orange County · 7,984 peopleC+4.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #142 of 249
85Yorkshireunincorporated, Prince William County · 9,782 peopleC+3.6 years of area income·Overall B · #146 of 249
86Mount Hermonunincorporated, Pittsylvania County · 4,155 peopleC+4.2 years of area income·Overall C+ · #194 of 249
88Dale Cityunincorporated, Prince William County · 71,016 peopleC+3.4 years of area income·Overall B+ · #117 of 249
90Forestunincorporated, Bedford County · 13,430 peopleC+6.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #180 of 249
93Lake Land'Orunincorporated, Caroline County · 4,390 peopleC+3.5 years of area income·Overall C+ · #199 of 249
95Woodlawnunincorporated, Fairfax County · 21,194 peopleC+2.9 years of area income·Overall B+ · #114 of 249
96New Baltimoreunincorporated, Fauquier County · 11,919 peopleC+5.5 years of area income·Overall A · #68 of 249
97Hollinsunincorporated, Botetourt County · 17,097 peopleC+3.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #131 of 249
98Dumbartonunincorporated, Henrico County · 7,997 peopleC+3.4 years of area income·Overall B− · #174 of 249
101Lake Carolineunincorporated, Caroline County · 2,862 peopleC+3.4 years of area income·Overall D · #224 of 249
102Colonial BeachWestmoreland County · 4,151 peopleC+5.1 years of area income·Overall D · #232 of 249
103Long Branchunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,034 peopleC+6.6 years of area income·Overall A+ · #4 of 249
104Mechanicsvilleunincorporated, Hanover County · 38,683 peopleC5.1 years of area income·Overall A · #61 of 249
105Loch Lomondunincorporated, Prince William County · 4,606 peopleC3.5 years of area income·Overall B− · #168 of 249
107University Centerunincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,923 peopleC4.0 years of area income·Overall A · #63 of 249
108Laurelunincorporated, Henrico County · 18,721 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall B− · #176 of 249
109Lake Ridgeunincorporated, Prince William County · 46,049 peopleC3.7 years of area income·Overall A− · #83 of 249
110Triangleunincorporated, Prince William County · 10,450 peopleC4.5 years of area income·Overall B · #161 of 249
111Chesterunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 24,474 peopleC4.5 years of area income·Overall B · #148 of 249
112Meadowbrookunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 20,749 peopleC3.4 years of area income·Overall C · #210 of 249
113Woodlakeunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 7,358 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall A− · #97 of 249
114Rockwoodunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 10,010 peopleC4.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #141 of 249
115Union Millunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,484 peopleC7.6 years of area income·Overall A · #50 of 249
119Merrimacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 2,733 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #107 of 249
120Woodbridgeunincorporated, Prince William County · 43,945 peopleC3.9 years of area income·Overall B · #155 of 249
122Glen Allenunincorporated, Henrico County · 17,551 peopleC5.9 years of area income·Overall B · #156 of 249
123Hybla Valleyunincorporated, Fairfax County · 17,257 peopleC4.0 years of area income·Overall B · #163 of 249
124University of Virginia College campusunincorporated, Albemarle County · 9,065 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall A
125Bull Rununincorporated, Prince William County · 16,859 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall B · #153 of 249
127Bon Airunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 16,904 peopleC4.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #121 of 249
129Manchesterunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 12,445 peopleC3.7 years of area income·Overall C+ · #193 of 249
130Sugarland Rununincorporated, Loudoun County · 12,629 peopleC4.6 years of area income·Overall A · #38 of 249
132North Shoreunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,638 peopleC7.3 years of area income·Overall C+ · #185 of 249
133Bailey's Crossroadsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 24,271 peopleC3.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #136 of 249
134Kings Parkunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,315 peopleC5.0 years of area income·Overall A+ · #6 of 249
135Cave Springunincorporated, Roanoke County · 25,742 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall A · #70 of 249
136County Centerunincorporated, Prince William County · 3,789 peopleC4.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #113 of 249
137Independent Hillunincorporated, Prince William County · 10,853 peopleC5.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #98 of 249
138Massanetta Springsunincorporated, Rockingham County · 6,358 peopleC6.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #139 of 249
139Manassas ParkManassas Park city · 16,560 peopleC3.6 years of area income·Overall C+ · #189 of 249
140Mantuaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,298 peopleC7.9 years of area income·Overall A+ · #11 of 249
141Newington Forestunincorporated, Fairfax County · 12,316 peopleC4.7 years of area income·Overall A+ · #19 of 249
147Cherry Hillunincorporated, Prince William County · 26,044 peopleC3.9 years of area income·Overall B+ · #125 of 249
148Sudleyunincorporated, Prince William County · 19,162 peopleC3.4 years of area income·Overall B− · #173 of 249
150Montclairunincorporated, Prince William County · 22,387 peopleC−4.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #101 of 249
151Franconiaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 18,335 peopleC−4.5 years of area income·Overall A+ · #5 of 249
152Fishersvilleunincorporated, Augusta County · 9,484 peopleC−5.5 years of area income·Overall C · #202 of 249
153Belle Havenunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,570 peopleC−4.0 years of area income·Overall A · #25 of 249
154Linton Hallunincorporated, Prince William County · 41,876 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall A− · #94 of 249
155Sterlingunincorporated, Loudoun County · 32,411 peopleC−5.0 years of area income·Overall A · #82 of 249
156Moorefieldunincorporated, Loudoun County · 6,123 peopleC−6.3 years of area income·Overall A+ · #3 of 249
157Difficult Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,938 peopleC−8.8 years of area income·Overall A · #46 of 249
158Grovetonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,931 peopleC−4.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #133 of 249
160Newingtonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,478 peopleC−4.7 years of area income·Overall A+ · #21 of 249
162Crozetunincorporated, Albemarle County · 9,289 peopleC−6.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #102 of 249
163Buckhallunincorporated, Prince William County · 21,602 peopleC−5.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #105 of 249
164Brandermillunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 13,730 peopleC−4.3 years of area income·Overall B · #150 of 249
165Tuckahoeunincorporated, Henrico County · 49,183 peopleC−5.3 years of area income·Overall B · #152 of 249
166Countrysideunincorporated, Loudoun County · 9,661 peopleC−5.0 years of area income·Overall A · #67 of 249
168Franklin Farmunincorporated, Fairfax County · 18,736 peopleC−6.5 years of area income·Overall A+ · #16 of 249
169Hollymeadunincorporated, Albemarle County · 8,482 peopleC−4.7 years of area income·Overall A− · #93 of 249
170Innsbrookunincorporated, Henrico County · 8,578 peopleC−5.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #111 of 249
171Lowes Islandunincorporated, Loudoun County · 11,018 peopleC−6.3 years of area income·Overall A · #22 of 249
172Wyndhamunincorporated, Henrico County · 12,099 peopleC−8.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #140 of 249
173One Loudoununincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,309 peopleC−6.9 years of area income·Overall A+ · #12 of 249
174Greenbriarunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,243 peopleC−5.2 years of area income·Overall A · #32 of 249
175Dalevilleunincorporated, Botetourt County · 3,797 peopleC−6.3 years of area income·Overall A− · #104 of 249
176Hayfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,392 peopleC−5.3 years of area income·Overall A+ · #15 of 249
177Potomac Millsunincorporated, Prince William County · 5,741 peopleC−4.6 years of area income·Overall B · #157 of 249
178West Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 22,532 peopleC−5.0 years of area income·Overall A+ · #17 of 249
179Stone Ridgeunincorporated, Loudoun County · 16,603 peopleC−5.3 years of area income·Overall A+ · #9 of 249
180Hutchisonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,284 peopleC−3.8 years of area income·Overall B+ · #124 of 249
181South Ridingunincorporated, Loudoun County · 34,352 peopleC−5.9 years of area income·Overall A · #23 of 249
182Kings Park Westunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,442 peopleC−5.9 years of area income·Overall A · #33 of 249
183Mount Vernonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,122 peopleC−4.6 years of area income·Overall A · #64 of 249
184Dulles Town Centerunincorporated, Loudoun County · 5,464 peopleC−4.8 years of area income·Overall A · #69 of 249
186Midlothianunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 19,120 peopleC−5.4 years of area income·Overall B · #143 of 249
187Burke Centreunincorporated, Fairfax County · 17,037 peopleC−5.1 years of area income·Overall A · #59 of 249
188Restonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 64,414 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall A · #35 of 249
189Wakefieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 11,930 peopleC−6.8 years of area income·Overall A · #37 of 249
190Rose Hillunincorporated, Fairfax County · 21,066 peopleC−5.4 years of area income·Overall A+ · #20 of 249
191Belmontunincorporated, Loudoun County · 9,729 peopleC−6.7 years of area income·Overall A · #26 of 249
192Leesylvaniaunincorporated, Prince William County · 21,632 peopleC−4.2 years of area income·Overall A− · #106 of 249
193Huntingtonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 13,502 peopleC−3.5 years of area income·Overall A · #75 of 249
195Bull Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,823 peopleC−7.3 years of area income·Overall B+ · #123 of 249
197North Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,050 peopleC−5.1 years of area income·Overall A− · #91 of 249
198Centrevilleunincorporated, Fairfax County · 71,706 peopleC−4.9 years of area income·Overall A− · #85 of 249
199Dunn Loringunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,957 peopleC−9.5 years of area income·Overall A · #29 of 249
201Ashburnunincorporated, Loudoun County · 46,026 peopleC−6.3 years of area income·Overall A+ · #13 of 249
202Crosspointeunincorporated, Fairfax County · 5,669 peopleD7.5 years of area income·Overall A · #56 of 249
203Oaktonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 36,528 peopleD8.6 years of area income·Overall A+ · #18 of 249
204South Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,600 peopleD7.7 years of area income·Overall A · #76 of 249
205Brambletonunincorporated, Loudoun County · 24,537 peopleD6.8 years of area income·Overall A+ · #8 of 249
206West Falls Churchunincorporated, Fairfax County · 31,279 peopleD5.6 years of area income·Overall A− · #84 of 249
207Fairfax Stationunincorporated, Fairfax County · 12,566 peopleD7.1 years of area income·Overall A · #72 of 249
208Burkeunincorporated, Fairfax County · 44,029 peopleD5.7 years of area income·Overall A · #58 of 249
209Short Pumpunincorporated, Henrico County · 29,026 peopleD6.6 years of area income·Overall B+ · #119 of 249
210Dranesvilleunincorporated, Fairfax County · 11,828 peopleD5.9 years of area income·Overall A · #54 of 249
211Great Fallsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 15,228 peopleD13.2 years of area income·Overall A · #66 of 249
212Cascadesunincorporated, Loudoun County · 12,357 peopleD5.3 years of area income·Overall A · #30 of 249
213Broadlandsunincorporated, Loudoun County · 14,353 peopleD7.1 years of area income·Overall A · #34 of 249
214Wolf Trapunincorporated, Fairfax County · 15,858 peopleD9.5 years of area income·Overall A · #52 of 249
216Annandaleunincorporated, Fairfax County · 41,705 peopleD5.9 years of area income·Overall B+ · #120 of 249
217Virginia BeachVirginia Beach city · 453,737 peopleD5.2 years of area income·Overall B+ · #130 of 249
218Florisunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,589 peopleD6.9 years of area income·Overall A · #53 of 249
219Gainesvilleunincorporated, Prince William County · 18,196 peopleD5.9 years of area income·Overall A− · #109 of 249
221CharlottesvilleCharlottesville city · 44,388 peopleD5.5 years of area income·Overall C · #208 of 249
222Lake Barcroftunincorporated, Fairfax County · 10,973 peopleD7.0 years of area income·Overall A · #81 of 249
223Lincolniaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 20,320 peopleD5.5 years of area income·Overall A · #78 of 249
224Chantillyunincorporated, Fairfax County · 24,036 peopleD6.3 years of area income·Overall A · #77 of 249
226Loudoun Valley Estatesunincorporated, Loudoun County · 10,271 peopleD6.4 years of area income·Overall A+ · #10 of 249
227Fair Oaksunincorporated, Fairfax County · 35,545 peopleD4.8 years of area income·Overall A · #60 of 249
228Fair Lakesunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,894 peopleD4.6 years of area income·Overall A · #62 of 249
229McNairunincorporated, Fairfax County · 22,655 peopleD4.7 years of area income·Overall A · #31 of 249
230Idylwoodunincorporated, Fairfax County · 17,559 peopleD6.0 years of area income·Overall A · #41 of 249
231Lansdowneunincorporated, Loudoun County · 12,328 peopleD6.1 years of area income·Overall A · #24 of 249
232Carrolltonunincorporated, Isle of Wight County · 8,436 peopleD5.0 years of area income·Overall B− · #170 of 249
233Pimmit Hillsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,589 peopleD7.6 years of area income·Overall A · #28 of 249
235Lortonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 20,991 peopleD5.1 years of area income·Overall B+ · #116 of 249
237Braddockunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,536 peopleD7.4 years of area income·Overall A · #79 of 249
238Kingstowneunincorporated, Fairfax County · 18,360 peopleD4.9 years of area income·Overall A · #40 of 249
239Merrifieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 20,698 peopleD5.2 years of area income·Overall A · #36 of 249
240Fort Huntunincorporated, Fairfax County · 16,700 peopleD7.9 years of area income·Overall A · #80 of 249
241Pantopsunincorporated, Albemarle County · 4,665 peopleD5.6 years of area income·Overall A · #44 of 249
242McLeanunincorporated, Fairfax County · 49,627 peopleD11.5 years of area income·Overall A · #47 of 249
243Laurel Hillunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,450 peopleD5.5 years of area income·Overall A · #65 of 249
244Tysonsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 28,936 peopleD5.1 years of area income·Overall A · #55 of 249
245Arcolaunincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,509 peopleD5.0 years of area income·Overall A+ · #14 of 249
246ArlingtonArlington County (county government) · 236,254 peopleD6.3 years of area income·Overall A · #43 of 249
247George Mason College campusunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,937 peopleD5.7 years of area income·Overall A−
248Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 31,154 peopleD5.5 years of area income·Overall B+ · #115 of 249
249Woodburnunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,503 peopleD−6.0 years of area income·Overall A− · #87 of 249
251Quantico Baseunincorporated, Prince William County · 5,840 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·No overall grade
252Bethel Manorunincorporated, York County · 4,393 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B− · #175 of 249
253Fort Belvoirunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,449 peopleD−6.2 years of area income·Overall A− · #86 of 249
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most affordable town in Virginia?
Pearisburg (Giles County) ranks first on cost of living among 253 towns, with an A+; Clifton Forge and Lake Wilderness follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Cost of living grade: home values, rent and property-tax bills against the income of the town’s metro area or county, and the share of households paying 30%+ of income for housing (Census ACS). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a cost of living grade (253 in Virginia). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Virginia page.
Go deeper
All Virginia rankings →More Virginia lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live249 towns · #1 LexingtonBest small towns123 towns · #1 LexingtonSafest towns84 towns · #1 BroadwayTowns with the best schools250 towns · #1 LexingtonHealthiest towns253 towns · #1 TysonsBest towns for jobs & income253 towns · #1 BraddockMost walkable towns253 towns · #1 LexingtonTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk253 towns · #1 MerrimacBest towns for the outdoors253 towns · #1 Laurel HillMost historic towns253 towns · #1 RichmondTowns with the most civic life88 towns · #1 West PointTowns with the least snow253 towns · #1 EmporiaDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns253 towns · #1 NortonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters225 towns · #1 NorfolkDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers225 towns · #1 Colonial HeightsDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers225 towns · #1 WiseDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes253 towns · #1 Crosspointe and 6 moreDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes240 towns · #1 CovingtonDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns87 towns · #1 DumfriesDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries24 towns · #1 BristolDescribed, no letters
Other states