Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Radford?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Radford, you need to earn at least $46,600/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $51,039, which means the typical resident is $4,439 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 16,379

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$816	$2,720	$32,640	$-18,399
1 Bedroom	$967	$3,223	$38,680	$-12,359
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,165	$3,883	$46,600	$-4,439
3 Bedroom	$1,421	$4,737	$56,840	+$5,801
4 Bedroom	$1,748	$5,827	$69,920	+$18,881

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$51,039

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$46,600

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$4,439

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Radford

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Radford's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,276

Studio

$816/mo

1 BR

$967/mo

2 BR

$1,165/mo

3 BR

$1,421/mo

4 BR

$1,748/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Radford.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Radford

Radford is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $4,439. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($967/month) or studio ($816/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Radford pushes the required income to $56,840.

For comfortable living in Radford without financial stress, target a household income of at least $69,900 — 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 Radford, Virginia.

With a total population of 16,379, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 7,936 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $46,600 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

7,936

Active civilian employees in Radford

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Radford

What salary do I need to live in Radford, Virginia?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Radford under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $46,600. The median household income in Radford is $51,039.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Radford on $51,039?

The affordability verdict for Radford is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.4%, meaning median earners have a $4,439 surplus.

What is the average rent in Radford compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Radford is $967/month. With a median household income of $51,039, residents spend approximately 27.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Radford?

A studio in Radford rents for approximately $816/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $32,640 to afford this.

Is Radford considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $4,439 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Radford is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $46,600 to the local median household income.

How Radford Compares

Other cities in Virginia with salary requirements