Cost of Living in Lakeside, VA

Population 12,845 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lakeside 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. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 6 miles north of Richmond, Lakeside falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Richmond's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 89
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in Lakeside

The median home value in Lakeside is $271,400 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,330/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,695/year is 7% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, 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 68.8°F and lows of 47.1°F. Overall, Lakeside has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$271,400
11% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$334,389
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,330/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,736/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0x
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 62.1%
Renter-occupied 37.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,330
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,944/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
22.0 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.8%
Carpooled
4.3%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
1.1%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
20.1%

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
$69,695
7% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,771
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor Force Participation
70.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.5%
Graduate degree 14.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.2
Male median age 33.7
Female median age 37

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.8°F
Avg Low
47.1°F
Annual Precip
45.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475159707785898781706051
Low °F 283036455563686659483831
Precip" 3.482.873.893.434.334.143.984.934.043.653.393.68

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
60.5%
Good air days/yr
159
Max AQI recorded
220
PM2.5 days
141
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lakeside, VA?

Lakeside has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lakeside, VA?

The median gross rent in Lakeside is $1,330 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lakeside?

The median home value in Lakeside is $271,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lakeside?

The median household income in Lakeside is $69,695 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lakeside, VA?

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

Is Lakeside, VA affordable?

Lakeside is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Lakeside?

Lakeside has average high temperatures of 68.8°F and average lows of 47.1°F. Annual precipitation is 45.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lakeside at a Glance

Population
12,845
Median Income
$69,695
Home Value
$271,400
Median Rent
$1,330/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Avg High Temp
68.8°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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