Finding the “best” place to live for you and your family has many factors – some are personal, some are geographic and, of course, some are financial. The financial aspects can include anything from employment to where you can have the highest quality of life given your budget.
Area Vibes is an organization that looks at states, cities and neighborhoods across the country. Using a special algorithm, they analyze the area’s access to amenities, overall cost of living, crime rates, education, employment, housing and weather. Each area is then assigned a “livability” score based on the final outcome.
To determine the most affordable, yet most “livable” cities and towns in Virginia, we’ve looked at Area Vibe’s Top 100 Virginia cities, as ranked by their livability scores, and found the 10 cities and towns on the list that offer a “cost of living” score of A or A+.
Cost of living scores are determined by analyzing government survey data that evaluates the following:
- Good and services
- Groceries
- Health care
- Housing
- Transportation
- Utilities
So how did Virginia measure up? Well, here’s what we found…
(NOTE: The city’s overall “livability” ranking out of Virginia’s Top 100 is included next to the name)
- Salem (41)
City of Salem - City Hall / Facebook Located just outside of Roanoke in Southwest Virginia, the city of Salem comes out on top when it comes to affordable cost of living. With all the amenities of Roanoke close by, affordable housing, low crime and good education, Salem is one of the best places in Virginia to get the most bang for your buck. In fact, Salem earns an A+ from Area Vibes for overall cost of living.
- Cave Spring (43)
Roanoke County, Virginia / Facebook Perhaps it’s no small coincidence, but the census-designated area of Cave Spring in Roanoke County comes in 2nd for affordability in Virginia. It certainly seems that the Roanoke area is a winner when it comes to offering ample housing, easy access to amenities, and in the case of Cave Springs, an A for for overall cost of living. (Photo shown is an overview of Roanoke County.)
- Onley (60)
Eastern Shore Family YMCA / Facebook With a population of just over 600 people, this small town in Accomack County boasts an impressive score when it comes to cost of living. Coming out with an A on Area Vibe’s cost of living scale, this Eastern Shore gem also provides very low crime rates and great scores in housing, education, employment and amenities.
- Fairlawn (65)
It’s FAIRLAWN, not Radford / Facebook With a 65th spot in the overall livability rankings, Fairlawn earns an A grade for cost of living. Located in Pulaski County near Radford, Fairlawn also offers plenty of amenities, low crime and good scores for housing and education. Employment isn’t at the top of the rankings for the area, but the overall cost of living more than makes the grade.
- Forest (67)
Steve Tatum / flickr Located in the county of Bedford, this census-designated area is home to just under 10,000 residents. Thanks to it’s close proximity to Lynchburg, there are plenty of amenities in this beautiful central Virginia community. With an A grade for cost of living, Forest serves as a suburb of Lynchburg and is home to Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, Poplar Forest (shown here). Other perks of living in Forest include a top grade for schools as well as good scores for crime, housing and employment.
- Staunton (72)
allisonmseward12 / flickr This charming little town is no stranger to praise. Called “One of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations in the United States” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “one of the best small towns in America” by Smithsonian Magazine and “the most beautiful small town in Virginia” by TheCultureTrip.com, Staunton also receives high scores for affordability. Coming in 6th on our list, Staunton offers many amenities and cultural opportunities of a larger town, while also providing good scores for crime, housing and education.
- Chatmoss (79)
Chatmoss Country Club / Facebook
Chatmoss Country Club / Facebook For a town that has barely 1,500 residents, Chatmoss comes in with an impressive 7th place finish. While Chatmoss is often considered part of Martinsville, it is actually in Henry County, just outside the city lines of Martinsville. Chatmoss receives a lower grade for amenities, but it did score well for housing, education and low crime rates. Chatmoss gets its name from the Hairston Family plantation that once comprised the area. Today, the Chatmoss Country Club sits at the center of what once was the plantation and serves as a social center for many of the residents.
- Christiansburg (84)
Town of Christiansburg / Facebook
Andrew Holmes / flickr Located in Montgomery County, Christiansburg shares many amenities with neighboring Blacksburg and Radford, both of which are home to colleges. However, with around 21,000 residents, Christiansburg, by itself, is a charming small town. Surrounded by Southwest Virginia’s mountains and full of rich history, the town also offers strong ratings in each category, dipping slightly for employment. But, with housing costs much lower than Blacksburg, it offers a nearby residential option for many professors, students and professionals.
- Hollins (86)
Hollins University / Facebook Yet another community in the Roanoke Metropolitan area to make the list, Hollins is a census-designated place in Botetourt and Roanoke counties. With approximately 15,000 resident, Hollins is also home to Hollins University. In addition to being the only other place on our list that received Area Vibe’s A+ grade for cost of living, Hollins also scores high for amenities, with good scores for housing, education and employment.
- Elkton (90)
Elkton Virginia / Facebook
Elkton Virginia / Facebook The town of Elkton offers its residents a little bit of everything, including some of the state’s most scenic landscapes. Located in the Shenandoah Valley between Massanutten Mountain and Skyline Drive, Elkton score an A for cost of living. With another high score for low crime rates, Elkton dips a bit in the employment category, but offers easy access to I-81 between Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.
So what do YOU think of the numbers? Do you live in one of these cities, towns or communities? We would love to hear about what goes into your decision to live somewhere. Please let us know in the comments below!
City of Salem - City Hall / Facebook
Located just outside of Roanoke in Southwest Virginia, the city of Salem comes out on top when it comes to affordable cost of living. With all the amenities of Roanoke close by, affordable housing, low crime and good education, Salem is one of the best places in Virginia to get the most bang for your buck. In fact, Salem earns an A+ from Area Vibes for overall cost of living.
Roanoke County, Virginia / Facebook
Perhaps it’s no small coincidence, but the census-designated area of Cave Spring in Roanoke County comes in 2nd for affordability in Virginia. It certainly seems that the Roanoke area is a winner when it comes to offering ample housing, easy access to amenities, and in the case of Cave Springs, an A for for overall cost of living. (Photo shown is an overview of Roanoke County.)
Eastern Shore Family YMCA / Facebook
With a population of just over 600 people, this small town in Accomack County boasts an impressive score when it comes to cost of living. Coming out with an A on Area Vibe’s cost of living scale, this Eastern Shore gem also provides very low crime rates and great scores in housing, education, employment and amenities.
It’s FAIRLAWN, not Radford / Facebook
With a 65th spot in the overall livability rankings, Fairlawn earns an A grade for cost of living. Located in Pulaski County near Radford, Fairlawn also offers plenty of amenities, low crime and good scores for housing and education. Employment isn’t at the top of the rankings for the area, but the overall cost of living more than makes the grade.
Steve Tatum / flickr
Located in the county of Bedford, this census-designated area is home to just under 10,000 residents. Thanks to it’s close proximity to Lynchburg, there are plenty of amenities in this beautiful central Virginia community. With an A grade for cost of living, Forest serves as a suburb of Lynchburg and is home to Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, Poplar Forest (shown here). Other perks of living in Forest include a top grade for schools as well as good scores for crime, housing and employment.
allisonmseward12 / flickr
This charming little town is no stranger to praise. Called “One of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations in the United States” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “one of the best small towns in America” by Smithsonian Magazine and “the most beautiful small town in Virginia” by TheCultureTrip.com, Staunton also receives high scores for affordability. Coming in 6th on our list, Staunton offers many amenities and cultural opportunities of a larger town, while also providing good scores for crime, housing and education.
Chatmoss Country Club / Facebook
For a town that has barely 1,500 residents, Chatmoss comes in with an impressive 7th place finish. While Chatmoss is often considered part of Martinsville, it is actually in Henry County, just outside the city lines of Martinsville. Chatmoss receives a lower grade for amenities, but it did score well for housing, education and low crime rates. Chatmoss gets its name from the Hairston Family plantation that once comprised the area. Today, the Chatmoss Country Club sits at the center of what once was the plantation and serves as a social center for many of the residents.
Town of Christiansburg / Facebook
Andrew Holmes / flickr
Located in Montgomery County, Christiansburg shares many amenities with neighboring Blacksburg and Radford, both of which are home to colleges. However, with around 21,000 residents, Christiansburg, by itself, is a charming small town. Surrounded by Southwest Virginia’s mountains and full of rich history, the town also offers strong ratings in each category, dipping slightly for employment. But, with housing costs much lower than Blacksburg, it offers a nearby residential option for many professors, students and professionals.
Hollins University / Facebook
Yet another community in the Roanoke Metropolitan area to make the list, Hollins is a census-designated place in Botetourt and Roanoke counties. With approximately 15,000 resident, Hollins is also home to Hollins University. In addition to being the only other place on our list that received Area Vibe’s A+ grade for cost of living, Hollins also scores high for amenities, with good scores for housing, education and employment.
Elkton Virginia / Facebook
The town of Elkton offers its residents a little bit of everything, including some of the state’s most scenic landscapes. Located in the Shenandoah Valley between Massanutten Mountain and Skyline Drive, Elkton score an A for cost of living. With another high score for low crime rates, Elkton dips a bit in the employment category, but offers easy access to I-81 between Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.
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