For role-by-role compensation benchmarking and career income strategy, see the Profession Salary Guides hub.
For conversion formulas, overtime scenarios, and annual-pay planning, see the Hourly to Annual hub.
A good salary in Virginia is $70,000-$90,000 for a single person. Northern Virginia (NoVA) near DC requires significantly more.
Quick Answer by City
| City | Good Salary | Comfortable | Thriving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington (NoVA) | $95,000 | $120,000 | $165,000 |
| Alexandria (NoVA) | $90,000 | $115,000 | $160,000 |
| Richmond | $60,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Virginia Beach | $60,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Norfolk | $55,000 | $70,000 | $95,000 |
Virginia Cost of Living
| Category | Virginia | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 103 | 100 | +3% |
| Housing | 110 | 100 | +10% |
| Transportation | 95 | 100 | -5% |
| Healthcare | 100 | 100 | 0% |
| Utilities | 102 | 100 | +2% |
NoVA is 30%+ above average; Richmond is about average.
Virginia Income Tax
Virginia uses graduated tax brackets:
| Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $3,000 | 2.0% |
| $3,000 - $5,000 | 3.0% |
| $5,000 - $17,000 | 5.0% |
| Over $17,000 | 5.75% |
Top rate of 5.75% applies to most of your income.
Take-Home Pay in Virginia
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $5,500 | $3,200 | $4,590 | $46,710 |
| $75,000 | $8,000 | $4,100 | $5,738 | $57,162 |
| $100,000 | $12,500 | $5,600 | $7,650 | $74,250 |
| $125,000 | $18,000 | $7,000 | $9,563 | $90,437 |
Housing Costs by Region
| Area | Median Home Price | Median Rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $700,000 | $2,300 |
| Alexandria | $625,000 | $2,100 |
| Richmond | $380,000 | $1,350 |
| Virginia Beach | $340,000 | $1,300 |
| Norfolk | $290,000 | $1,150 |
NoVA vs. Rest of Virginia
| Factor | Northern Virginia | Rest of Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Median salary | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Median home | $650,000 | $320,000 |
| Median rent | $2,200 | $1,250 |
NoVA benefits from federal government and contractor jobs, plus tech.
Related Guides
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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