Living in Charlottesville, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charlottesville · Census data 2020–2024
Charlottesville has 45,437 residents with a median age of 33.1. The median household income is $74,824 (20% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $486,700, the median rent is $1,540/month.
Charlottesville at a glance
- Population
- 45,437
- Median age
- 33.1State: 39
- Median household income
- $74,824State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $486,700State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,540/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 44.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 62.5%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Charlottesville a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the Virginia median; home values 27% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 19.6%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Charlottesville
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Charlottesville the median home value is $486,700, 46% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,540 per month, which is 33.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,214 a month in housing costs.
Charlottesville median household income
The median household income in Charlottesville is $74,824 and the income per person is $51,540. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Charlottesville: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 21,610
- Owner-occupied
- 44.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 55.8%
- Vacant
- 8.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.14
Charlottesville demographics
- Population
- 45,437
- Median age
- 33.1
- Under 18
- 16.5%
- 65 and older
- 13.5%
- Households
- 19,815
- Foreign-born
- 10.6%
- Veterans
- 3.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charlottesville ›
Education in Charlottesville
62.5% of adults 25 and older in Charlottesville have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 35.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charlottesville
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 21.4%
- Drive alone
- 53.1%
- Public transit
- 5.6%
- Walk to work
- 11.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.4%
Charlottesville vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | 45,437 | $74,824 | $486,700 | $1,540 |
| University of Virginia | 9,065 | $52,546 | $442,600 | $1,421 |
| Pantops | 4,665 | $127,552 | $522,900 | $1,881 |
| Rio | 1,252 | $56,250 | — | $1,688 |
| Hollymead | 8,482 | $118,250 | $435,300 | $2,140 |
| Ivy | 794 | $189,072 | $645,600 | — |
| Rivanna | 2,211 | $146,328 | $852,400 | — |
| Keswick | 402 | $250,001 | $1,133,100 | — |
| Earlysville | 1,222 | $142,060 | $478,400 | — |
More for people moving to Charlottesville
Charlottesville ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charlottesville: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charlottesville, VA?
The median household income in Charlottesville is $74,824, 20% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Charlottesville?
The median home value in Charlottesville is $486,700, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Charlottesville?
The median gross rent in Charlottesville is $1,540 per month, about 33.5% of household income.
Is Charlottesville, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 3.7%. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the Virginia median; home values 27% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 19.6%.
What is the median age in Charlottesville?
The median age in Charlottesville is 33.1 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Charlottesville?
The average commute to work in Charlottesville is 17 minutes; 21.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charlottesville?
The unemployment rate in Charlottesville is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charlottesville?
62.5% of adults in Charlottesville have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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