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Retirement community in Charlottesville, Virginia

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Charlottesville, Virginia Retirement Guide

55

Retirement Score

Charlottesville, Virginia at a Glance

Median Home Price
$398,400
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security exempt; age-based retirement income subtraction available.
Avg January Low
25°F
Cost of Living Index
102 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
55 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Charlottesville, Virginia, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
102 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$67,177High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Charlottesville's cost of living is 2% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$398,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,357High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
42.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Charlottesville using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$863

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$969

Median home price used: $398,400

Median rent reference: $1,357 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Charlottesville, Virginia after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
50.8 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
50.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
87.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Charlottesville scores 50.8 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Charlottesville

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Charlottesville →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; age-based retirement income subtraction available.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Virginia has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
87°FLow confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
25°FLow confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
44"Low confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
200 daysLow confidence
NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020 · Updated March 2026

With 200 sunny days a year and an average January low of 25°F, Charlottesville offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
100 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
16.6 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
46,289High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
32.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
12.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
4.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
58.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
68.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
17.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
7.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Charlottesville

What is the cost of living in Charlottesville, Virginia for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 102, roughly 2% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $398,400.

Does Virginia tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Virginia residents: State income tax; Social Security exempt; age-based retirement income subtraction available.

What is the climate like in Charlottesville, Virginia?▾

Charlottesville, Virginia has January average low around 25°F, July average high around 87°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Charlottesville, Virginia?▾

Charlottesville scores 51/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a solid score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

FIELDS GOTTSCHO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

Financial Advisor

CHASE INVESTMENT COUNSEL CORPORATION

Financial Advisor

A. N. CULBERTSON & COMPANY, INC.

Financial Advisor

+74 more financial advisors available

Interested in Charlottesville? Talk to a Local Expert.

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