| Index | Radford | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 100 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 92 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 109 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Radford is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Radford is 100, which is 0% equal to the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Radford is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Radford to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 60% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 40% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Radford an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Radford, the median home price is 4.9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 13.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Radford come in at $51,494, which is 36.7% lower 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 Radford, healthcare costs are 4.2% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Radford, the utilities index is 4.1% higher than the national average.
The Radford 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 index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $93,216 | $7,768 | $2,175 | $2,797 |
| Renters | $28,622 | $2,385 | $668 | $859 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Snowville, VA | 68 | 103 | 2.8% |
| New River, VA | 383 | 103 | 2.8% |
| Parrott, VA | 311 | 103 | 2.8% |
| Hiwassee, VA | 234 | 103 | 2.8% |
| Narrows, VA | 2,166 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Radford, VA | 18,418 | 100 | 0.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cutlerville, MI | 18,417 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Steubenville, OH | 18,439 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 18,441 | 166 | 66.0% |
| Scarsdale, NY | 18,390 | 281 | 181.1% |
| Melville, NY | 18,448 | 178 | 77.6% |
| Radford, VA | 18,418 | 100 | 0.3% |
Here are the best places to live in Virginia
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Virginia
Safest States In The US
Safest Cities In The US