Cost of Living in Colonial Heights, VA

Population 18,210 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Colonial Heights is a smaller Virginia community of around 18000 residents, where median household incomes of $76,250 and housing costs ($232,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Colonial Heights sits roughly 20 miles south of Richmond. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Richmond's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 76
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Colonial Heights

The median home value in Colonial Heights is $231,700 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,162/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,250/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below 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, Colonial Heights has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$231,700
24% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$291,617
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,162/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,551/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6x
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 68.1%
Renter-occupied 31.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,162
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,776/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
25.1 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.9%
Carpooled
6.3%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
1.8%
Work from home
9.6%

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
$76,250
2% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,272
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
23% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor Force Participation
64.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.4%
Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.5
Male median age 37.3
Female median age 39.1

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,899
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Colonial Heights, VA?

Colonial Heights has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Colonial Heights, VA?

The median gross rent in Colonial Heights is $1,162 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Colonial Heights?

The median home value in Colonial Heights is $231,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Colonial Heights?

The median household income in Colonial Heights is $76,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Colonial Heights, VA?

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

Is Colonial Heights, VA affordable?

Yes, Colonial Heights is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Colonial Heights?

Colonial Heights 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.

Colonial Heights at a Glance

Population
18,210
Median Income
$76,250
Home Value
$231,700
Median Rent
$1,162/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Avg High Temp
69.5°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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