Cost of Living in Bensley, VA

Population 5,819 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

75
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bensley sits on the smaller end of the Virginia city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 6 miles south of Richmond, Bensley falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Richmond's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 65
Rent 90

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bensley

The median home value in Bensley is $199,100 — 35% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,183/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,695/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 5.6%. The climate averages highs of 69.5°F and lows of 48.4°F, with about 8.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Bensley has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$199,100
35% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$583,202
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,183/mo
10% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$970
1 BR
$989
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,645
4 BR
$1,885
Owner-occupied 42.8%
Renter-occupied 57.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,183
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,797/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.4%
Carpooled
25.2%
Public transit
1.2%
Work from home
7.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 5.6%
State rate 4.3%
Avg local rate 1.3%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$49,695
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,845
Unemployment Rate
7.1%
48% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.4%
Labor Force Participation
69.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.3%
Graduate degree 3.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.2
Male median age 30.2
Female median age 27.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.5°F
Avg Low
48.4°F
Annual Precip
45.5"
Annual Snowfall
8.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485260707886908881716052
Low °F 293037465665696861493932
Precip" 3.232.614.003.184.004.644.374.904.613.393.063.51
Snow" 3.72.21.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.01.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
87.1%
Good air days/yr
139
Max AQI recorded
71
PM2.5 days
207
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bensley, VA?

Bensley has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bensley, VA?

The median gross rent in Bensley is $1,183 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bensley?

The median home value in Bensley is $199,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bensley?

The median household income in Bensley is $49,695 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bensley, VA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bensley is 5.6%. The Virginia state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Bensley, VA affordable?

Yes, Bensley is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bensley?

Bensley has average high temperatures of 69.5°F and average lows of 48.4°F. Annual precipitation is 45.5". Average annual snowfall is 8.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bensley at a Glance

Population
5,819
Median Income
$49,695
Home Value
$199,100
Median Rent
$1,183/mo
Unemployment
7.1%
Avg High Temp
69.5°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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