1st Advantage MortgageIn Charlottesville city, Virginia, the typical household earns $74,824 a year and the typical rent is $1,540. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Charlottesville city by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Charlottesville city
- Paychecks and income spread in Charlottesville city
- The Charlottesville city job picture
- How Charlottesville city compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Charlottesville city
- Room for a loan payment in Charlottesville city
- Before borrowing in Charlottesville city
- Charlottesville city residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Virginia rules that apply in Charlottesville city
- Four steps for Charlottesville city borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Charlottesville city by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Charlottesville city's population at 45,437; only 37 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. It covers 10 square miles of land, or about 4,435 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Charlottesville, VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 1 Census place inside Charlottesville city, Charlottesville leads by population with about 45,437.
Renting and owning in Charlottesville city
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,540 in Charlottesville city versus $1,579 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 55% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $486,700, about 6.5 times the median household income. 44% of Charlottesville city households own their home and 56% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1968.
| Housing | Charlottesville city | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,540/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $486,700 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 44% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.6% | 4.3% | n/a |
For the many renters in Charlottesville city, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Paychecks and income spread in Charlottesville city
The median household income in Charlottesville city is $74,824; statewide it is $93,170, so Charlottesville city runs 20% below Virginia as a whole. That places it 57th among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Charlottesville city | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.9% | +8.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.2% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.8% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.1% | -2.5 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 38% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 19.6%, 10 points higher than the state's 9.9%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Charlottesville city median.
The Charlottesville city job picture
Education and health care employs 41% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 15%. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward education and health care (41% against 22%). The survey's unemployment rate for Charlottesville city averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 21% work from home. Households without a car make up 11.0% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Top industries | Charlottesville city share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 41.5% | +19.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.4% | -1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.6% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.2% | -2.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 4.9% | -1.6 pts |
| Other services | 4.6% | -0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Charlottesville city compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Albemarle County at 4 miles out to Madison County at 28. Income ranges from $59,994 in Waynesboro city to $104,392 in Albemarle County; 4 of these neighbors top Charlottesville city's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville city | - | $74,824 | $1,540/mo | 44% |
| Albemarle County, VA | 4 mi | $104,392 | $1,692/mo | 66% |
| Greene County, VA | 18 mi | $89,808 | $1,309/mo | 83% |
| Fluvanna County, VA | 18 mi | $96,768 | $1,204/mo | 89% |
| Waynesboro city, VA | 23 mi | $59,994 | $1,020/mo | 60% |
| Nelson County, VA | 28 mi | $72,589 | $946/mo | 80% |
| Madison County, VA | 28 mi | $84,323 | $1,166/mo | 78% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Charlottesville city
Just one Census place, Charlottesville, lies mainly within Charlottesville city; it holds about 45,437 people. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | city | 45,437 | $74,824 | $1,540 | 0 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Charlottesville city
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Charlottesville city's medians:
- $74,824 a year is $6,235 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $1,540, or 25 cents of every gross dollar
- $954: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Charlottesville city
Based on the Charlottesville city data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 55% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Charlottesville city residents: age, schooling, coverage
62% of Charlottesville city adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 4.5%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Measure | Charlottesville city | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 62.5% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.0% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 21.4% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.6% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Charlottesville city workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.9% |
| 60+ min | 2.4% |
Virginia rules that apply in Charlottesville city
Consumer lenders serving Charlottesville city are licensed by the state, not the county; in Virginia that is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Four steps for Charlottesville city borrowers
Quick steps for Charlottesville city:
- Price the Charlottesville city expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlottesville city a high-income county?
Its $74,824 median ranks 57th of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Charlottesville city?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,540 a month; 55% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Charlottesville city town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Charlottesville.
Is the fit check different in Charlottesville city?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Charlottesville city check a lender's license?
With the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.