A+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
2%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Colonial Heights Virginia National
Cost of living103111100
Groceries101103100
Health care105103100
Housing102129100
Transportation103105100
Utilities101104100
Lifestyle & Entertainment106103100
Household Items100102100
Education & Childcare108109100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Colonial Heights, VA

Knowing the cost of living in Colonial Heights allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Colonial Heights stands at 103, marking it 3% higher than the national average.

In Colonial Heights, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Colonial Heights will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Colonial Heights Affordable?

Is Colonial Heights affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Colonial Heights, for instance, where the median home price falls 0.9% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Colonial Heights flaunting a median household income of $89,873, 10.5% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Colonial Heights?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Colonial Heights, the groceries index is 0.9% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Colonial Heights, the transportation index is 2.7% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Colonial Heights, healthcare costs are 4.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Colonial Heights cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Colonial Heights is 8% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Colonial Heights is 3% higher than the national average
  • Colonial Heights housing is 2% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Colonial Heights

See all the best places to live around Colonial Heights

Compare Colonial Heights, VA Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Colonial Heights?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Colonial Heights?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Colonial Heights poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$113,910$9,493$2,658$3,418
      Renters$51,419$4,285$1,200$1,543
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Colonial Heights is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Colonial Heights has a median income of about $113,910 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,658 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $51,419. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,200 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Templeton, VA1201033.0%
      Camptown, VA783919.2%
      Petersburg, VA31,836946.3%
      Hopewell, VA23,190954.9%
      Ettrick, VA5,172972.7%
      Colonial Heights, VA17,6311032.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Clive, IA17,63311010.4%
      Lake Mary, FL17,63412827.8%
      Lebanon, OR17,6261055.1%
      Mattoon, IL17,6378416.0%
      North Canton, OH17,640936.8%
      Colonial Heights, VA17,6311032.9%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.