Best Places to Live in Virginia

They say Virginia is for lovers, and we love this state!

It’s near the heart of our country’s military, politics and national history. It’s also the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents. And with sandy beaches and mountain forests, Virginia’s got something for everyone.

Whether you want a simple life in a small town or unlimited opportunities in a big city, you just might find what you’re looking for in these 10 best places to live in Virginia.

10 Best Places to Live in Virginia

Before we get going, let us be clear about something: What makes a city the best place to live depends on what you need and want in a new city. Once you’re clear on that, then you can start narrowing down which cities might actually work for you and your family.

Of course, it can be tough to choose. That’s what we’re here for! We’ll help you compare the top places to live in Virginia so you can better decide what’s right for you.

1. Arlington

Since it’s located minutes from Washington, D.C., Arlington is expensive. The median home price is nearly $327,000 above the national median of $404,950, and rents are almost double the national median of $1,306.^1,2 The cost of living there—which includes things like groceries, transportation and utilities—is also high compared to most parts of the country. Fortunately, many employers pay fairly high salaries to make up for the expense of living here.

Thanks to its strong military and defense industry presence, Arlington is home to memorials like Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can visit both of these places and even take a guided Pentagon Tour.

You can also dine at the historic Liberty Tavern, shop in the Crystal City neighborhood, or catch a performance at Signature Theatre. Or enjoy the D.C. skyline while walking the Mount Vernon Trail. (Theodore Roosevelt Island is another cool park—and yes, it’s really on an island.)

Moving the whole family? Check out Falls Church and Tyson’s Corner. Locals rate these neighborhoods as some of the best places to live in Virginia for families.

Population	236,4343
Median Annual Income	$122,6044
Median Home Price	$731,700*5
Median Rent**	$2,4206
Cost of Living	44% higher than national average7
Local University	Marymount University
Average Annual Rainfall	42.8”8
Features	High housing prices, large defense industry presence, Arlington National Cemetery, and lots of military-related jobs and historic sites

^{*This number comes from 2016–2020 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other home prices in our list.
Home prices in Arlington have likely gone up since 2020.}

^{**Median Monthly Rents refer to two-bedroom apartments.}

2. Virginia Beach

The biggest city on our list, Virginia Beach sits right on the Atlantic Ocean. (Hence the name!) It’s a popular vacation spot . . . and it’s one of the best places to live in Virginia near the beach.  

Annual incomes are about $13,000 above the national median.⁹ Home prices are below average—surprising for a beach town—while rents run toward the middle of the pack compared to other Virginia cities.

In Virginia Beach, most state parks and beaches are free. Beach activities include kayaking and dolphin-sighting tours. And if you’re up for a drive, cruise around town and try to spot local artist Igor’s custom, hand-painted signs.

See how much house you can afford with our free mortgage calculator!

Want to stay indoors? Visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Military Aviation Museum, or Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum. Or tour historic homesteads and the Cape Henry Lighthouse (America’s first). For a fun date, enjoy dinner and a movie at the Beach Cinema Alehouse.  

Population	450,88210
Median Annual Income	$78,13611
Median Home Price	$337,00012
Median Rent	$1,63213
Cost of Living	2% lower than national average14
Local University	Regent University
Average Annual Rainfall	46.5”15
Features	Free beaches and state parks, decent home prices with the perks of living in a big city, and lots of fun things to do for families and singles

3. Alexandria

Back to the D.C. area for this one! Alexandria and Arlington are neighbors along the Potomac River. But they’re very different.  

Alexandria’s culture focuses on art, architecture and history instead of politics and the military. And while Alexandria has the second-most expensive homes on our list, they’re typically a whopping $160,000 cheaper than homes in Arlington.

In Alexandria’s Old Town district, you can walk the King Street Mile, admire the local architecture, or take a water taxi to D.C. (You’ll catch some great street performances on the way too!) For a really cool outing, head to the Torpedo Factory Art Center or the tiny Spite House, the skinniest home in America.

Outdoor lovers will likely enjoy the city’s biking and walking trails, which offer glimpses of its history, art, architecture and green spaces. You can even drink wine at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate at sunset. How’s that for romantic?

Population	158,30916
Median Annual Income	$102,22717
Median Home Price	$572,700*18
Median Rent	$2,18419
Cost of Living	37% higher than national average20
Local College	Northern Virginia Community College
Average Annual Rainfall	41.9”21
Features	Historic Old Town district, lively waterfront area, expensive homes, and an emphasis on art, architecture and history

^{*This number comes from 2016–2020 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other home prices in our list. Home prices in Alexandria have likely gone up since 2020.}

4. Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a small town where homes wear a big price tag! Median home prices are the third highest on our list, while incomes are the third lowest. Rents in Charlottesville are about $170 per month over the national median—so, about the middle of the pack compared to other Virginia cities.²²

If your budget can handle the housing prices, Charlottesville could be one of the best places to live in Virginia. And that goes double for foodies! Charlottesville has lots of restaurants—plus wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries. So you’ll have plenty of local watering holes to try. 

History buffs can appreciate Charlottesville too. You can visit the homes of former presidents James Madison, James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson. President Jefferson also designed the core campus of the University of Virginia, located here.

Population	47,21723
Median Annual Income	$59,59824
Median Home Price	$514,45025
Median Rent	$1,47626
Cost of Living	4% higher than national average27
Local University	University of Virginia
Average Annual Rainfall	41.2”28
Features	High home prices, rich presidential history, and a great foodie scene with lots of local drinks

5. Bon Air

Bon Air is minutes away from the state capital of Richmond. And when it comes to income and home prices, this suburban city’s got it going on. Yearly salaries are about $22,000 above the national median—and home prices are $45,000 below the national median. Score!^29,30

Bon Air is one of the best places to live in Virginia for families because it’s so quiet. But you can still find plenty to do: Since Bon Air sits just outside Richmond, it’s easy to hop over to the city for a day or night out.

Some cool places to visit include Huguenot Park, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and Maymont, which boasts everything from a Victorian mansion to goat feeding adventures. You can also take several walking tours to see Richmond’s downtown district, the capitol building and maybe even some ghosts.

Population	17,59931
Median Annual Income	$87,38932
Median Home Price	$359,90033
Median Rent	$1,422*34
Cost of Living	3% lower than national average35
Average Annual Rainfall	44.2”36
Features	Relatively high salaries and low home prices, quiet neighborhoods, and close proximity to jobs and activities in Richmond

^{*This number comes from 2016–2020 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other rent prices in our list. Rent prices in Bon Air have likely gone up since 2020.}

6. Centreville

Centreville sits west of Arlington and Washington, D.C. along Interstate 66. It offers the third-highest income on our countdown (woot woot!) and home prices that are at least in the ballpark of the national median.

History lovers will want to check out Centreville’s beautiful old churches and homes. You can also visit Manassas National Battlefield and Bull Run Regional Park to learn about the area’s Civil War history. Plus, Bull Run offers nearly 20 miles of hiking trails, a waterpark for the kids, and the Bull Run Festival of Lights.

Want a day of luxury? You’ll find multiple wineries, golf courses and spas in Centreville and nearby Chantilly.

Population	74,23037
Median Annual Income	$121,32238
Median Home Price	$447,000*39
Median Rent	$2,12440
Cost of Living	44% higher than national average41
Local University	Washington Baptist University
Average Annual Rainfall	41.8”42
Features	Civil War history, modern luxuries, relatively high incomes, and easy driving distance to Arlington

^{*This number comes from 2016–2020 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other home prices in our list. Home prices in Centreville have likely gone up since 2020.}

7. Stone Ridge

The second-smallest town on our countdown, Stone Ridge has the highest rent (womp womp). But good news: Stone Ridge also boasts the highest yearly income—around two and a half times the national median.⁴³ Cha-ching!

Stone Ridge offers tons of fun family activities, like the Aldie Mill Historic Park, Leesburg Animal Park and the Udvar-Hazy Center (a Smithsonian annex full of air and space exhibits).

Your family can even be farmers for a day at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, where the kids can enjoy interactive exhibits like milking a life-like cow, cooking in a farm kitchen, and stepping into an early 1900s classroom.

One last thing about Stone Ridge: It’s roughly an hour from D.C., so you could face a pretty long commute if you drive into the city for work.

Population	15,03444
Median Annual Income	$163,46545
Median Home Price	$510,300*46
Median Rent	$2,459*47
Cost of Living	44% higher than national average48
Average Annual Rainfall	42.5”49
Features	High yearly incomes, high housing prices, lots of family-friendly activities,  and an hour away from D.C.

^{*These numbers come from 2016–2020 census data, so they’re not as up-to-date as other housing prices in our list. Housing prices and rent in Stone Ridge have likely gone up since 2020.}

8. Chesapeake

In Chesapeake, you can expect to have lots of neighbors—it’s the second-biggest city on our countdown. (Hey, people love living near the beach!) Oh, if you move here, bring an umbrella because coastal cities tend to get more rain.

You’ll still have plenty of sunny days to enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, biking, birdwatching and camping. You may also enjoy the fact that home prices in Chesapeake are almost $68,000 under the national median.⁵⁰

Some other unique things to do in Chesapeake include visiting the historic Harrison Opera House and following the Chesapeake African American Heritage Trail. You can also take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Chincoteague Island, which has beautiful beaches and wild ponies.

Population	242,64751
Median Annual Income	$81,26152
Median Home Price	$337,00053
Median Rent	$1,54154
Cost of Living	2% lower than national average55
Local College	Tidewater Community College
Average Annual Rainfall	46.9”56
Features	Many outdoor activities and historical sites, relatively low home prices, and easy driving distance to Virginia’s beautiful beaches

9. Abingdon

Let’s head to the other side of the state. Abingdon is a tiny town in southwest Virginia. Since it’s somewhat remote, Abingdon’s yearly median salary is low—and that’s okay if you want a simple lifestyle or have a great remote job. Plus, housing is cheaper here than anywhere else on our countdown.

Abingdon’s just minutes from the Appalachian Mountains, stunning state parks and famous hikes like the Virginia Creeper Trail. You can also hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Parkway or head up to Big Walker Lookout, where you can see five states at the same time.

Indoors more your thing? Watch a live play at the Barter Theatre, catch a movie at the local drive-in, or shop and dine along the town’s historic main street. You can also head down to Bristol for live music performances. Bonus: When in Bristol, you can literally cross the street and be in Tennessee!

Population	7,93657
Median Annual Income	$46,65358
Median Home Price	$277,00059
Median Rent	$703*60
Cost of Living	9% lower than national average61
Local College	Virginia Highlands Community College
Average Annual Rainfall	44.6”62
Features	Outdoor lovers’ dream with low home prices, a lively performing arts scene, and close proximity to the mountains and nearby states

^{*This number comes from 2016–2020 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other rent prices in our list. Rent prices in Abingdon have likely gone up since 2020.}

10. Blacksburg

Blacksburg is a small mountain town with higher housing prices and lower yearly salaries than Abingdon. But as long as you’ve got a plan for your money, you can still live comfortably in Blacksburg. 

This college town is home to Virginia’s second-largest public university, Virginia Tech. The school has a display in the Moss Arts Center, where you can visit multiple galleries and watch live performances. You can also attend a movie or show at the historic Lyric Theatre.

For a blast from the past, drive a few minutes to the Revolutionary War era Smithfield Plantation. Or visit Shenandoah National Park to see some of our country’s most beautiful natural treasures.

Population	44,39563
Median Annual Income	$41,71164
Median Home Price	$312,45065
Median Rent	$1,141*66
Cost of Living	6% lower than national average67
Local University	Virginia Tech
Average Annual Rainfall	37.6”68
Features	Lowest yearly salary, vibrant performing arts scene, and lots of natural and historic sites

^{*This number comes from 2016–2020 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other rent prices in our list. Rent prices in Blacksburg have likely gone up since 2020.}

Ready to Move to Virginia?

Awesome! Virginia is a great place to live. But before you start packing your bags, you’ll want to do a few more things. First, learn all you can about Virginia’s overall cost of living and safest cities. That’ll help you make absolutely sure you’ve picked the right place for you and your family!

Once you’ve got your mind made up about exactly where to go, you’ll need an expert real estate agent to help you make the move.

We recommend working with a RamseyTrusted pro. These top-performing real estate agents can help you find the best place to live in Virginia for you. From finding a family-friendly neighborhood to picking the perfect house, they’ll walk you through the whole process. And these guys and gals are RamseyTrusted—so they’ll put serving you ahead of selling.

Ready to get started? Connect with a RamseyTrusted real estate agents today!

Fast Facts for the Top Places to Live in Virginia
	Population	Median Annual Income	Median Home Price	Median Rent
Arlington	236,434	$122,604	$731,700	$2,420
Virginia Beach	450,882	$78,136	$337,000	$1,632
Alexandria	158,309	$102,227	$572,700	$2,184
Charlottesville	47,217	$59,598	$514,450	$1,476
Bon Air	17,599	$87,389	$359,900	$1,422
Centreville	74,230	$121,322	$447,000	$2,124
Stone Ridge	15,034	$163,465	$510,300	$2,459
Chesapeake	242,647	$81,261	$337,000	$1,541
Abingdon	7,936	$46,653	$277,000	$703
Blacksburg	44,395	$41,711	$312,450	$1,141