Cost of Living in Montrose, VA

Population 8,624 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $45,063, median household incomes in Montrose land roughly 40% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Geographically, Montrose sits roughly 6 miles east of Richmond. Median home values run roughly 48% lower than Richmond's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 96

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

About the Cost of Living in Montrose

The median home value in Montrose is $170,000 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,260/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $45,063/year is 40% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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, Montrose has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$170,000
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$378,597
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,260/mo
4% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,626/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.2x
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 38.8%
Renter-occupied 61.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,260
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,874/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
20.8 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.6%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
1.9%
Work from home
5.3%

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
$45,063
40% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,273
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
25.5%
Labor Force Participation
61.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.3%
Graduate degree 2.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5
Male median age 37.9
Female median age 40.7

🌤 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 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 Montrose, VA?

Montrose has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Montrose, VA?

The median gross rent in Montrose is $1,260 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Montrose?

The median home value in Montrose is $170,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Montrose?

The median household income in Montrose is $45,063 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Montrose, VA?

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

Is Montrose, VA affordable?

Yes, Montrose is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Montrose?

Montrose 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.

Montrose at a Glance

Population
8,624
Median Income
$45,063
Home Value
$170,000
Median Rent
$1,260/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Avg High Temp
69.5°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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