Americans love Virginia! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to being the safest place to live, the Old Dominion has got it all.
The median home value for Virginia is $419,700. The State scores 75/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Reston and Centreville are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is the same as the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Virginia.
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in VA
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in VA
View 163 Homes For Sale in Virginia
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3 Reasons to Live in Virginia🏖️
- Excellent Education System: Virginia has the 4th best education system in the country. MacLean High School, Open High School, and Thomas Jefferson School are some of the top institutions in the state.
- Safety: Virginia is ranked 8th in the top 10 safest states in the country. This makes the state ideal for moving with families.
- Flourishing Economy: In Q3 2023, Virginia accounted for 2.6% of the U.S. economy. Oil and gas extraction, mining, and real estate are the main revenue generators.
7 Best Places to Live in Virginia
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Martinsville | 13,517 | $112,787 | $5,907 | 4.10% | 63/100 |
| 2. | Danville | 42,215 | $136,359 | $5,683 | 4.5% | 64/100 |
| 3. | Bristol | 17,054 | $190,712 | $6,247 | 3.50% | 64/100 |
| 4. | Big Stone Gap | 5,206 | $121,013 | $5,983 | 5.3% | 64/100 |
| 5. | Bluefield | 5,018 | $120,970 | $6,788 | 3.90% | 63/100 |
| 6. | Roanoke | 98,865 | $244,318 | $6,972 | 3.0% | 62/100 |
| 7. | Lynchburg | 79,009 | $239,007 | $6,613 | 4.10% | 63/100 |
1. Martinsville
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.3% |
| Median Income | $36,832 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,907 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.10% |
The median home price in Martinsville is $112,787, which is quite affordable. The cost of living in the city is 14% lower than the state average. M-Ville has excellent connectivity, and the Blue Ridge Airport is within a 10-50 mile radius of the city center.
Additionally, the city offers excellent job opportunities. Big corporations like Faneuil Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, and Walmart Supercenter have their main offices located in the city.
» Homes for Sale in Martinsville, VA: View thousands of properties for sale in Martinsville.
2. Danville
| Home Value | ⬆️ 11.4% |
| Median Income | $37,147 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,683 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% |
The median home price in Danville is $136,359. The cost of living in the city is lower than the state and national average. The rent of a one-bedroom unit in the city is $999, 49% cheaper than the national average.
» Homes for Sale in Danville, VA: Find your dream home online.
3. Bristol
| Home Value | ⬆️ 10.6% |
| Median Income | $39,679 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,247 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.50% |
The median home price in Bristol is $190,712. The cost of living in the city is 8% lower than the national average. Moreover, 3 schools in the city are ranked among the top 50 schools in the country.
Bristol is an ideal place for job seekers. The city is home to big corporations like Strongwell, WCYB, Wellmont, and BDO. Furthermore, Bristol has easy access to job hubs like Knoxville, Roanoke, and Tennessee West.
» Homes for Sale in Bristol, VA: Find the best properties in the Bristol neighborhood.
4. Big Stone Gap
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.1% |
| Median Income | $39,919 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,983 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% |
The median home price in Big Stone Gap is $121,013, which is quite affordable. The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the town is $1,500, 23% lower than the state average. Also, the town has an excellent high school graduation rate of 90-94%.
Big Stone Gap is home to the beautiful Cave Springs Recreation Area. The park gives visitors access to Stone Mountain Trail and a short hike to an overlook of the Olinger Gap Community.
» Homes for Sale in Big Stone Gap, VA: Find your dream home in this beautiful town.
5. Bluefield
| Home Value | ⬆️ 8.9% |
| Median Income | $45,969 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,788 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.90% |
Bluefield is perfect for people moving on a budget. The median home price in Bluefield is $120,970. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $849.
The cost of living in Bluefield is 8.5% lower than the state average. Bluefield has top-rated public schools and excellent connectivity. Hubs like Walmart, Lowes, and Sam’s are situated within 15 miles of the city center.
» Homes for Sale in Bluefield, VA: View the best luxurious properties for sale in Bluefield.
6. Roanoke
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.9% |
| Median Income | $45,664 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,972 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% |
The median home price in Roanake is $244,318. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,200 and the cost of living is 8% lower than the state average.
Roanoke has a growing job market. The employment sector grew by 1.6% in 2023 and is projected to see a growth of 30% in the next decade. Moreover, the schools in the city have an excellent minority enrollment rate of 70%.
» Homes for Sale in Roanoke, VA: View the best properties in Roanoke online.
7. Lynchburg
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.9% |
| Median Income | 49,201 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,613 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.10% |
The median home price in Lynchburg is $239,007. The cost of living in the city is 10% lower than the state average. Additionally, the city is home to the tech giant Amazon, an ideal company for job seekers.
Lynchburg has a highly-rated education system. The college town in the city is home to the prestigious University of Lynchburg. The University is ideal for students seeking higher education in biomedical sciences and management.
» Homes for Sale in Lynchburg, VA: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
Best Places to Live in Virginia for Young Adults
Here are the best places to live in Virginia for young adults:
- Short Pump: The average salary in Short Pump is $54,000. The job market is projected to increase by 29.84% in the next ten years, a better rate than the national projection.
- Vienna: The average salary in the city is $83,000. The job market in Vienna is projected to grow by 20.96% in the next ten years.
Bottom Line
Virginia is one of the best places to live in the US due to its low cost of living and great climate. Other things that contribute are its cultural diversity and excellent city life.
The Old Dominion State’s current population is 8,715,698, which has grown by 0.42% in the past year. Moreover, the state is the 7th safest in the country.
In some cities, the median home price is around $112,787, whereas in places like Roanoke, it can go up to $244,318. However, you must research before moving to Virginia. To start your home search, browse properties online.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in VA
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Virginia. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Virginia and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Virginia Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Virginia for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best place to live in Virginia?
Martinsville is the best place to live in Virginia. The city's cost of living is low and has a flourishing job market.
Which is the best place to live in Virginia for retirees?
Bluefield is the best place to live for retirees. The city has a got excellent connectivity and great climate.
What is the cheapest place to live in Virginia?
Danville is the cheapest place to live in Virginia. The home prices and cost of living in the city is one of the lowest in the state.
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