Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Williamsburg?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Williamsburg, you need to earn at least $61,400/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $66,815, which means the typical resident is $5,415 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 15,486

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,075	$3,583	$43,000	$-23,815
1 Bedroom	$1,274	$4,247	$50,960	$-15,855
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,535	$5,117	$61,400	$-5,415
3 Bedroom	$1,873	$6,243	$74,920	+$8,105
4 Bedroom	$2,303	$7,677	$92,120	+$25,305

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$66,815

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$61,400

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$5,415

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.6%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Williamsburg's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,670

Studio

$1,075/mo

1 BR

$1,274/mo

2 BR

$1,535/mo

3 BR

$1,873/mo

4 BR

$2,303/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Williamsburg

Renting in Williamsburg, Virginia is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $61,400/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $66,815, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,274/month) or studio ($1,075/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Williamsburg pushes the required income to $74,920.

For comfortable living in Williamsburg without financial stress, target a household income of at least $92,100 — 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 Williamsburg, Virginia.

With a total population of 15,486, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 6,417 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $61,400 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

6,417

Active civilian employees in Williamsburg

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Williamsburg

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Williamsburg under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $61,400. The median household income in Williamsburg is $66,815.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Williamsburg on $66,815?

The affordability verdict for Williamsburg is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.6%, meaning median earners have a $5,415 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Williamsburg is $1,274/month. With a median household income of $66,815, residents spend approximately 27.6% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Williamsburg?

A studio in Williamsburg rents for approximately $1,075/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $43,000 to afford this.

Is Williamsburg considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $5,415 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Williamsburg is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $61,400 to the local median household income.

How Williamsburg Compares

Other cities in Virginia with salary requirements