Cost of Living in Virginia: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Virginia is a southeastern state in the United States, with an Atlantic coastline extending from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. It is known as “the birthplace of a nation” and as the “Mother of Presidents.” Virginia has its own set of expenses and the average cost of living in Virginia for a month is around USD 1,037 for a person without rent.

In this guide, we’ll discuss various aspects of the cost of living in Virginia, such as housing rent, monthly local transportation costs, healthcare for general checkups, grocery costs, and overall affordability. It will help you get an idea of a living expenses budget if you are considering relocating to this fantastic city. Without further delay, let’s begin our discussion. 

Cost of Living in Virginia

Managing living expenses is a key factor to consider when relocating to Virginia. The average monthly cost of living in Virginia for a family of four is approximately USD 6,100 with rent in the city area, while for a single person, it is around USD 2,500. 

The cost of living in Virginia is the same as the national average in the United States. The expenses needed to live comfortably in Virginia depend on various factors like the location you choose, the lifestyle you live, your family size, and your personal preferences. Below is a breakdown of the cost of living in Virginia across various categories:

Costs of Rent in Virginia

On average, a one-bedroom apartment in Virginia costs around 1,578 USD per month near the city centre, while a three-bedroom apartment can cost up to 2,457 USD. The average cost of rent in Virginia depends on several factors, such as location, size, lifestyle, etc., And it can also affect the cost of living in Virginia. The following table compares the cost of renting apartments within and outside the city centre:

Apartment Location	Approx Monthly Cost
One-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 1,578
One-bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 1,417
Three -bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 2,457
Three -bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 2,171

Source: Numbeo

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide on Cuba’s Expense

Cost of a Utility in Virginia

The cost of utilities in Virginia you can pay around USD 156 monthly for basic utilities in Virginia, including electricity, water, heating, garbage, internet services, etc. In the table below, Utility costs in Virginia are provided for your convenience:

Utility Type	Approx Monthly Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage) (for 85m2 Apartment)	USD 156
Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone with Calls and 10GB+ Data	USD 51.50
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	USD 74.50

Source: Numbeo

Cost of Grocery in Virginia

On average, the total cost of groceries a person’s cost in Virginia might be around USD 92, considering each grocery item at a single unit measurement. The grocery costs include the cost of bread, milk, water, vegetables, fruit, and other eatable items. The costs of these groceries in Virginia are often lower than the overall cost of living in Virginia.The table below lists the average cost of groceries in Virginia: 

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	USD 0.90
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	USD 2.71
Rice (white), (1kg)	USD 3
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	USD 3.30
Apples (1kg)	USD 5.16
Banana (1kg)	USD 1.14
Oranges (1kg)	USD 4.06
Tomato (1kg)	USD 4.39
Potato (1kg)	USD 2.71
Onion (1kg)	USD 2.87
Lettuce (1 head)	USD 1.80
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	USD 2.14
meat, egg, drinks and Other items	USD 58

Source: Numbeo

Restaurant Costs in Virginia 

Restaurants in Virginia offer a culinary adventure with a variety of seafood options at an affordable budget. The average cost in inexpensive restaurants for a meal of 2 people is around USD 20, which will not affect that much the cost of living in Virginia. In the table below, we have demonstrated the average restaurant costs you can pay in the country:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal for 2 person at an Inexpensive Restaurant	USD 20
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	USD 80

Source: Numbeo

Also Read: Cost of Living in Hamburg: A Comprehensive Guide on Hamburg’s Expense

Transportation costs in Virginia 

Various modes of transport in Virginia include air, water, and land transport, which provides for railways and roads. The cost of a one-way ticket in Virginia is around USD 0.88 for local transport. The overall cost of living in Virginia includes transportation costs, which are outlined in the table below:

Mode of Transport	Approx Monthly Cost
Price of a One-way Ticket for Local Transport	USD 0.88
Regular Price of Monthly Pass	USD 30
Cost of Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	USD 2.50
Cost of Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)	USD 1.55
Cost of Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	USD 23.00
Gasoline (1 litre)	USD 0.88

Source: Numbeo

Average Tuition Fees in Virginia

Along with the cost of living in Virginia, figuring out the average tuition fees in Universities of Virginia can be a daunting task to anyone. Don’t worry; we bring it for you. The average tuition fee at the University of Virginia ranges around USD 58,950. The tuition fees are detailed in the table below, with the program and university.

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
University of Virginia	USD 58,950
Virginia Tech	USD 36,090
William & Mary	USD 48,841
George Mason University	USD 37,976
James Madison University	USD 30,790

Also Read: Cost of Living in Durham: A Comprehensive Guide

Things to Know When Moving to Virginia

If you are planning to move to Virginia, apart from the cost of living in Virginia various aspects should be considered before moving there. These factors are valid even if you are moving to study or for employment purposes. Virginia is a welcoming location for international students, and here are the factors that students should know when moving to Virginia:

Environment of Virginia

The environment provided by Virginia is very pleasing. Virginia has a range of cultures to explore and learn about, such as an urban-rural divide, deeply red pockets, and liberal college towns. 

Weather in Virginia

Virginia is known for its stunning natural landscape and it has a humid climate characterised by hot and humid summers and moderately cold winters. In the mountains of Virginia, temperatures can drop to 0 °F during winter, while cool nights in summer and daytime temperatures lie around 90 °F. Across the state, precipitation levels of rain range from about 32 to 44 inches.

Jobs in Virginia

The average part-time salary in Virginia is around USD 30,226 per year, and you can earn around USD 14.53 per hour. Moreover, for entry-level jobs, salaries start at USD 25,400 annually, while most experienced workers make up to USD 48,750 annually, which helps students with their cost of living in Virginia.

Peanuts in Virginia

Peanuts are a significant part of Virginia’s cuisine. From peanut soup to peanut pie and meat from hogs fed with a peanut diet, this legume holds a special place in the hearts of Virginians. If you’re planning to move to Virginia, starting to appreciate peanuts cuisine is a good idea.

Innovative University in Virginia

Virginia is home to several prestigious universities and institutes known for their innovative academic programs and excellence in research. Moreover, its Universities are ranked among the top in the US for innovation.

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FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Virginia. Many Virginia students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.