Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Colonial Beach?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Colonial Beach, you need to earn at least $49,000/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $55,731, which means the typical resident is $6,731 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 3,895

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$858	$2,860	$34,320	$-21,411
1 Bedroom	$1,017	$3,390	$40,680	$-15,051
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,225	$4,083	$49,000	$-6,731
3 Bedroom	$1,495	$4,983	$59,800	+$4,069
4 Bedroom	$1,838	$6,127	$73,520	+$17,789

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Colonial Beach's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$55,731

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$49,000

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$6,731

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 26.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Colonial Beach

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Colonial Beach's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,393

Studio

$858/mo

1 BR

$1,017/mo

2 BR

$1,225/mo

3 BR

$1,495/mo

4 BR

$1,838/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Colonial Beach.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Colonial Beach's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Colonial Beach

Renting in Colonial Beach, Virginia is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $49,000/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $55,731, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,017/month) or studio ($858/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Colonial Beach pushes the required income to $59,800.

For comfortable living in Colonial Beach without financial stress, target a household income of at least $73,500 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Virginia's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Colonial Beach, Virginia.

With a total population of 3,895, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,273 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $49,000 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,273

Active civilian employees in Colonial Beach

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Colonial Beach

What salary do I need to live in Colonial Beach, Virginia?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Colonial Beach under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $49,000. The median household income in Colonial Beach is $55,731.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Colonial Beach on $55,731?

The affordability verdict for Colonial Beach is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 26.4%, meaning median earners have a $6,731 surplus.

What is the average rent in Colonial Beach compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Colonial Beach is $1,017/month. With a median household income of $55,731, residents spend approximately 26.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Colonial Beach?

A studio in Colonial Beach rents for approximately $858/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $34,320 to afford this.

Is Colonial Beach considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $6,731 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Colonial Beach is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $49,000 to the local median household income.

How Colonial Beach Compares

Other cities in Virginia with salary requirements