What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in Virginia this week

Out of reach · #22 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median Virginia household earning $100,000 a year can afford a home of about $316,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median Virginia listing is $455,953, which would take 40.4% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$316,000

Affordable home price

+$2,081 vs. last week · −$23,200 vs. a year ago

$456,000

Median list price (September 2026)

+$6,053 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · Virginia 75 a year ago

40.4%

Share of income the median listing takes

$3,370/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$100,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#22

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $449,900 and median income of $97,530 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $339,000 and the median listing took 37.2% of income. Affordability in Virginia has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#20 Louisiana: can afford $192,000, median listing $270,000
#21 South Dakota: can afford $260,000, median listing $375,000
#23 Arkansas: can afford $215,000, median listing $319,000
#24 Maine: can afford $300,000, median listing $450,000

Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.