Bland County's composite score of 80.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by a remarkable 60%, ranking it among the most affordable counties in the entire United States. This exceptional rating underscores extraordinary value in housing and tax policy.
2 / 5
Virginia's most affordable county
Bland's 80.0 score ranks among Virginia's elite, surpassing the state average of 70.3 by nearly 10 points. The county stands out as a rare example of rural Virginia delivering top-tier livability metrics.
3 / 5
Extreme affordability with low taxes
Bland boasts a cost score of 89.2 with median home values of just $157,100 and rent averaging $683/month—the lowest among these eight counties. A tax score of 86.7 and effective rate of 0.552% ensure minimal tax drag on household finances.
4 / 5
Limited income and data constraints
An income score of 23.5 with median household income of $61,375 signals fewer local job opportunities and lower earning potential. School, health, safety, and environmental data remain unavailable, making full livability evaluation impossible.
5 / 5
The ultimate bargain county
Bland County is for those who prioritize rock-bottom cost of living and minimal taxes above all else, especially retirees or remote workers. It offers unmatched housing affordability in Virginia, though residents must accept limited local economic opportunity.
Bland County's composite score of 80.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by a remarkable 60%, ranking it among the most affordable counties in the entire United States. This exceptional rating underscores extraordinary value in housing and tax policy.
Virginia's most affordable county
Bland's 80.0 score ranks among Virginia's elite, surpassing the state average of 70.3 by nearly 10 points. The county stands out as a rare example of rural Virginia delivering top-tier livability metrics.
Extreme affordability with low taxes
Bland boasts a cost score of 89.2 with median home values of just $157,100 and rent averaging $683/month—the lowest among these eight counties. A tax score of 86.7 and effective rate of 0.552% ensure minimal tax drag on household finances.
Limited income and data constraints
An income score of 23.5 with median household income of $61,375 signals fewer local job opportunities and lower earning potential. School, health, safety, and environmental data remain unavailable, making full livability evaluation impossible.
The ultimate bargain county
Bland County is for those who prioritize rock-bottom cost of living and minimal taxes above all else, especially retirees or remote workers. It offers unmatched housing affordability in Virginia, though residents must accept limited local economic opportunity.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.552%, Bland's effective tax rate is significantly higher than the national median of 0.96%, placing it above the 60th percentile nationally. However, the median property tax of $868 remains lower than the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.
Bland above Virginia's average rate
Bland's 0.552% effective rate exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671% somewhat, ranking slightly above the middle among state counties. The median tax of $868 is still below the state median of $1,960.
Mid-range taxes in the region
Bland's 0.552% rate falls between Augusta (0.490%) and Botetourt (0.655%), making it moderate within the eight-county comparison. On a median home value of $157,100, Bland residents pay slightly more in tax rate but less in absolute dollars than nearby counties.
What homeowners pay annually
On Bland's median home value of $157,100, the typical annual property tax bill is $868. Homeowners with mortgages pay $831, while those owning outright pay $892.
Appeal if your home is overvalued
Bland homeowners with higher tax rates should especially verify their assessments, as even small overvaluations compound significantly year after year. An appeal could reduce your annual tax burden substantially.
Bland County's $683 monthly rent and 13.3% rent-to-income ratio represent some of Virginia's lowest housing costs anywhere. Despite a median income of $61,375—below the national average—residents here spend an even smaller percentage of earnings on rent than wealthier Americans.
Virginia's most affordable rental county
Bland's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest statewide, beating Virginia's 18.6% average by over five percentage points. At just $683 monthly, Bland's median rent is less than 60% of the state average, making it the uncontested affordability champion in Virginia's rental market.
The region's cheapest rents
Bland's $683 rent dramatically undercuts all regional peers: Buchanan ($712), Bath ($825), Brunswick ($864), and Augusta ($1,057). The median income of $61,375 is modest, but the exceptionally low rents mean housing affordability here surpasses wealthier counties with higher absolute costs.
Lowest costs in Virginia by far
Renters pay just $683 monthly while homeowners spend $466—the lowest figures in the dataset—on a median income of $61,375. At 13.3% of income for rent, Bland residents have the most comfortable housing burden in Virginia, with money left over for other essentials.
Bland: for those seeking rock-bottom housing
If you're prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and can navigate rural southwestern Virginia's economic constraints, Bland County is unmatched at $683 rent and 13.3% rent-to-income ratio. Just verify that remote work or portable income is realistic—local wage opportunities are limited compared to more urban areas.
Bland County's median household income of $61,375 trails the national median of $74,755 by over $13,000 annually. This significant gap underscores economic challenges common to rural Appalachian communities.
Among Virginia's lower-earning counties
Bland's $61,375 median household income sits roughly $13,600 below Virginia's state average of $74,957. Bland ranks among the Commonwealth's lowest-income counties, reflecting limited job diversity and demographic shifts.
Part of Southwest Virginia's income challenge
Bland County ($61,375) earns similarly to Bath County ($61,709) but far less than the prosperous Piedmont counties like Botetourt ($80,467). This illustrates a regional economic divide between the mountains and the state's more developed areas.
Housing costs remain manageable
Bland County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is the lowest among all eight counties, a bright spot in an otherwise constrained economy. With a median home value of just $157,100, housing affordability is not the primary financial burden here.
Protect and grow limited resources
Lower housing costs give Bland residents a rare advantage to save, but limited incomes require disciplined financial planning. Prioritize emergency funds, employer-matched retirement benefits, and free financial counseling to build stability amid economic headwinds.
Bland County health outcomes near national average
Bland County's life expectancy of 75.5 years trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by less than a year, and 16.2% of residents report poor or fair health versus the national 18%. Overall health status appears roughly comparable to national benchmarks.
Slightly below Virginia's health rank
At 75.5 years, Bland County's life expectancy marginally exceeds Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 0.4 years. The county sits near the middle of Virginia's health performance distribution.
Middle ground among peer counties
Bland County's 75.5-year life expectancy falls between nearby Bath County (74.4 years) and Augusta County (78.0 years), indicating moderate regional health status. Mental health provider availability stands at 81 per 100,000 residents, though primary care data is unavailable.
Good insurance access, uncertain care availability
Bland County's 6.7% uninsured rate is the lowest among its peer counties, suggesting strong insurance penetration. However, limited data on primary care providers makes it unclear whether insured residents can readily find routine medical care without traveling.
Keep coverage current and accessible
With one of the region's best uninsured rates, focus on retaining and optimizing your coverage. Check healthcare.gov during open enrollment to ensure your plan covers the care you need most.
Bland County enjoys rare natural disaster protection
Bland County's composite risk score of 13.04 ranks among America's safest from natural disasters, earning a 'Very Low' rating that is dramatically below the national average. This exceptional standing reflects the county's mountainous terrain, distance from hurricane corridors, and low seismic activity. Few counties nationwide match Bland's combination of protections.
Second-safest county in Virginia
Bland's score of 13.04 represents less than 40% of Virginia's state average of 33.27, ranking it among the state's most resilient communities. Only Bath County (5.38) scores lower in Virginia. This distinction means significantly lower disaster-related property damage rates and insurance costs than most state residents experience.
Bland anchors Virginia's safest zone
Neighboring Bath County (5.38) and Botetourt County (18.10) share similarly low risk profiles, creating a haven for hazard-averse residents in southwestern Virginia. Augusta County (68.61) to the east represents a stark contrast, while Buchanan County (50.60) to the southwest shows measurably higher exposure. Bland's protected pocket is genuinely distinctive.
Flood risk barely exceeds all other threats
Even Bland's highest hazard—flood risk at 29.52—remains comfortably below state average, with wildfire (6.36) and tornado (4.99) risks nearly negligible. Earthquake (27.51) and hurricane (33.58) exposure round out an exceptionally favorable profile. This is one of Virginia's most benign natural disaster environments.
Basic homeowners insurance covers your needs
Bland County's exceptionally low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically suffices without costly specialized riders or flood coverage. That said, verify your policy limits reflect current replacement costs, and ensure adequate coverage for personal property. Even in low-risk areas, a solid insurance foundation protects against life's uncertainties.