Salary Guide · 2026
Virginia Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Virginia, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Virginia Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$51,200
-9% vs US median
Household median income
$87,740
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$40,559
Eff. rate: 20.78%
Median monthly take-home
$3,380
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Virginia
Tax system: Progressive state income tax (2%–5.75%)
Virginia has a moderate progressive income tax. Northern Virginia, anchored by the federal government and defense contractors, offers very high salaries but also high housing costs. The rest of the state is more affordable.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · VA state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $65,000 | $5,694 | $3,480 | $4,973 | $50,853 | $4,238 | 21.76% |
| $100,000 | $13,354 | $5,493 | $7,650 | $73,503 | $6,125 | 26.5% |
| $150,000 | $24,914 | $8,368 | $11,475 | $105,243 | $8,770 | 29.84% |
| $210,000 | $39,314 | $11,818 | $14,338 | $144,530 | $12,044 | 31.18% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Virginia Cities
Based on $150,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Virginia Beach
COL: 1.15× · 1BR rent: $1,450/mo
Rent burden: 16.5% of take-home
Is $150,000 enough in Virginia Beach? →Norfolk
COL: 1.05× · 1BR rent: $1,350/mo
Rent burden: 15.4% of take-home
Is $150,000 enough in Norfolk? →Chesapeake
COL: 1.13× · 1BR rent: $1,500/mo
Rent burden: 17.1% of take-home
Is $150,000 enough in Chesapeake? →Richmond
COL: 0.87× · 1BR rent: $900/mo
Rent burden: 10.3% of take-home
Is $150,000 enough in Richmond? →Arlington
COL: 1.58× · 1BR rent: $2,400/mo
Rent burden: 27.4% of take-home
Is $150,000 enough in Arlington? →Alexandria
COL: 1.48× · 1BR rent: $2,200/mo
Rent burden: 25.1% of take-home
Is $150,000 enough in Alexandria? →Popular Salary Guides for Virginia
Is This Salary Enough in Virginia?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Virginia?
A $100,000 salary in Virginia yields approximately $73,503 per year ($6,125/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Virginia cities, this is above the state individual median of $51,200 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Virginia?
Virginia has Progressive state income tax (2%–5.75%). For a $100,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $5,493. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Virginia?
The individual median income in Virginia is $51,200 and the household median is $87,740 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $58,786–$175,480 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.