Cost of Living in Pulaski, VA

Population 8,937 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

54
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Pulaski a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $153,000. Around 24% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 70 miles northwest of Winston-Salem, Pulaski is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Winston-Salem's $208,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 50
Rent 59

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

About the Cost of Living in Pulaski

The median home value in Pulaski is $152,800 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $775/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,409/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, 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 60.9°F and lows of 43.3°F, with about 34.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Pulaski has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$152,800
50% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$163,779
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$775/mo
41% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4x
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 56.4%
Renter-occupied 43.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$775
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,389/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
24.0 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.4%
Carpooled
9.8%
Public transit
1.1%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
10.0%

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
$50,409
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,806
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
12% below avg
Poverty Rate
24.0%
Labor Force Participation
56.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.2%
Graduate degree 7.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.8
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 44.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.9°F
Avg Low
43.3°F
Annual Precip
41.2"
Annual Snowfall
34.6"
20° 35° 50° 65° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404351637076797873635243
Low °F 242733435158626155453528
Precip" 3.032.903.843.644.614.144.363.143.242.782.553.01
Snow" 9.98.86.50.90.00.00.00.00.00.51.46.6

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
4,096
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Pulaski, VA?

Pulaski has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.

What is average rent in Pulaski, VA?

The median gross rent in Pulaski is $775 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Pulaski?

The median home value in Pulaski is $152,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Pulaski?

The median household income in Pulaski is $50,409 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pulaski, VA?

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

Is Pulaski, VA affordable?

Yes, Pulaski is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Pulaski?

Pulaski has average high temperatures of 60.9°F and average lows of 43.3°F. Annual precipitation is 41.2". Average annual snowfall is 34.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Pulaski at a Glance

Population
8,937
Median Income
$50,409
Home Value
$152,800
Median Rent
$775/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
60.9°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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