Cost of Living in Virginia for a Family of Four (2026)
A family of four in Virginia needs about $7,945 a month ($95,340 a year) to cover a typical household budget before saving. That is 2% above the U.S. average of $7,777 and ranks #14 of 51, where #1 is the most expensive.
Virginia's rent level is 107% of the national average, so a typical three-bedroom rental with utilities runs about $2,168 a month, compared with $2,030 nationally. Everyday goods cost about the same as the national average, so groceries come to about $1,046 a month on the USDA low-cost food plan.
To cover this budget and still save 15% of take-home pay, a family would need about $9,347 a month after taxes ($112,165 a year).
Monthly budget in Virginia by household
The family is two parents aged 38 and 40 with children aged 9 and 4, the youngest in paid childcare, renting a three-bedroom home. The couple is two adults aged 35 and the single adult is 30, each renting a one-bedroom home.
| Category | Family of four | Couple | Single adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing & utilities | $2,168 | $1,417 | $1,417 |
| Groceries | $1,046 | $655 | $357 |
| Dining out & takeout | $262 | $164 | $89 |
| Transportation | $1,233 | $1,233 | $617 |
| Health care | $702 | $461 | $231 |
| Childcare | $1,111 | $0 | $0 |
| Phone & internet | $155 | $155 | $115 |
| Clothing | $219 | $155 | $109 |
| Household & personal care | $253 | $179 | $127 |
| Entertainment & hobbies | $401 | $283 | $200 |
| Gifts, giving & other | $396 | $280 | $198 |
| Total per month | $7,945 | $4,982 | $3,460 |
| Total per year | $95,340 | $59,782 | $41,521 |
Estimates for 2026 from LifeCalculator's family budget model: BEA Regional Price Parities by state (2024, released February 2026), USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (August 2026, low-cost plan), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (2024), Census median gross rent (2024) and Child Care Aware of America (2025). Figures from 2024 are adjusted by about 5% for price changes since. Savings and income taxes are not included.
What moves the number
- Childcare. Paid care for the 4-year-old adds about $1,111 a month. Without it, the family budget falls to about $6,834.
- Housing. The figure assumes renting at the state's typical level. Rents in big cities run well above the state average, and rural areas well below it.
- Cars. Transportation assumes typical costs for two drivers, including a car payment. Families with paid-off cars spend less.
- Price level. Overall, prices in Virginia are 1% above the national average (BEA all-items index 101.1).
States with similar costs
- Oregon: $8,163 a month (#11)
- New Hampshire: $8,142 a month (#12)
- Connecticut: $8,126 a month (#13)
- Nevada: $7,938 a month (#15)
- Alaska: $7,900 a month (#16)
- Rhode Island: $7,871 a month (#17)
See all 50 states and D.C. on the cost of living by state page, or read what it costs a family of four to live in every state.
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