Buena Vista's composite score of 70.0 sits 40% above the national median of 50.0, matching Virginia's state average exactly at 70.3. The city scores solidly on affordability and taxation, though income opportunities remain limited.
2 / 5
Right at Virginia's average performance
Buena Vista scores at the state average of 70.3, placing it squarely in the middle of Virginia's livability rankings. The city performs similarly to many peers across the Commonwealth, neither significantly outpacing nor lagging counterparts.
3 / 5
Affordable housing and low taxes
Buena Vista posts a cost score of 78.5 and tax score of 75.8, with an effective tax rate of 0.941% and median rent at $1,067 monthly. Median home values of $153,500 keep homeownership accessible for moderate-income buyers.
4 / 5
Income levels constrain household budgets
The income score of 18.9 reflects a median household income of just $54,458, among the lowest in this Virginia cohort. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable, limiting the full picture of livability.
5 / 5
Best for budget-first residents seeking small-town charm
Buena Vista appeals to price-sensitive households, retirees on fixed incomes, and those seeking a small-city lifestyle with low costs. Without school and safety data, families should conduct thorough local research before committing.
Buena Vista's composite score of 70.0 sits 40% above the national median of 50.0, matching Virginia's state average exactly at 70.3. The city scores solidly on affordability and taxation, though income opportunities remain limited.
Right at Virginia's average performance
Buena Vista scores at the state average of 70.3, placing it squarely in the middle of Virginia's livability rankings. The city performs similarly to many peers across the Commonwealth, neither significantly outpacing nor lagging counterparts.
Affordable housing and low taxes
Buena Vista posts a cost score of 78.5 and tax score of 75.8, with an effective tax rate of 0.941% and median rent at $1,067 monthly. Median home values of $153,500 keep homeownership accessible for moderate-income buyers.
Income levels constrain household budgets
The income score of 18.9 reflects a median household income of just $54,458, among the lowest in this Virginia cohort. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable, limiting the full picture of livability.
Best for budget-first residents seeking small-town charm
Buena Vista appeals to price-sensitive households, retirees on fixed incomes, and those seeking a small-city lifestyle with low costs. Without school and safety data, families should conduct thorough local research before committing.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.941%, Buena Vista's effective tax rate is higher than the national median of 0.83%, placing it in the upper half of the country. The median property tax of $1,444 is about 46% lower than the national median of $2,690.
Above average for Virginia counties
Buena Vista's 0.941% rate ranks it in the higher tier of Virginia jurisdictions, where the state average is 0.671%. This city has one of the highest effective tax rates in the region.
Higher taxes than surrounding areas
Buena Vista's $1,444 median tax is notably higher than nearby Buckingham County ($874) and Charlotte County ($739), despite similar home values. The city's 0.941% rate is among the steepest in central Virginia.
What your taxes look like here
On Buena Vista's median home value of $153,500, you'd pay approximately $1,444 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,372, while those owning outright pay around $1,587.
Review your assessment for potential savings
With Buena Vista's higher tax rate, ensuring your property is correctly assessed becomes even more important. If you believe your home's assessed value is inflated, Virginia law allows property owners to appeal assessments.
Buena Vista's rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% significantly exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6% and pulls above national norms, placing renters in a cost-burdened position. The city's median household income of $54,458 falls $20,300 short of the national median, amplifying affordability pressure.
Among Virginia's most expensive for renters
Buena Vista ranks poorly in Virginia's affordability landscape, with a rent-to-income ratio nearly 27% higher than the state average. Despite modest median home values of $153,500, the rental market here strains household budgets more than nearly any peer county.
Rents spike in Buena Vista despite lower incomes
Buena Vista's $1,067 rent runs 25% above nearby Carroll County ($687) and 56% higher than Charlotte County ($682), yet household incomes lag both neighbors. The city's cost-to-income mismatch creates one of the region's toughest affordability challenges.
Rent dominates Buena Vista household budgets
Renters in Buena Vista devote 23.5% of their $54,458 annual income to housing, while owner-occupants spend 15.3% on mortgage costs of $693 monthly. This 8-percentage-point gap between rental and ownership burdens suggests buying offers relief for those able to access mortgages.
Buena Vista works best for home buyers
If relocating to Buena Vista, prioritize purchasing over renting given the city's strained rental market and comparatively affordable ownership at $153,500 median values. Compare this to nearby Carroll County's even lower costs or Campbell County's balanced rental-to-ownership dynamics.
Buena Vista's median household income of $54,458 is 27% lower than the national median of $74,755. The city ranks among lower-income communities nationally, reflecting limited economic diversity and regional labor market challenges.
Among Virginia's lowest-income communities
At $54,458, Buena Vista falls significantly below Virginia's median income of $74,957—a gap of $20,000. The city's per capita income of $33,175 exceeds some rural counties but trails the state average of $39,155.
Lowest among nearby peers
Buena Vista's $54,458 median is notably lower than Campbell County ($62,608) and Buckingham County ($59,199). Only Charlotte County ($48,892) earns less in this central Virginia region.
Rental costs strain household budgets
Buena Vista's rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% approaches the concerning 30% threshold, indicating housing costs consume nearly a quarter of median income. The median home value of $153,500 is modest, but affordability pressures remain for renters.
Protect your financial future now
With rental costs running high, prioritize building an emergency fund and minimizing debt where possible. Explore employer retirement benefits, seek out free or low-cost financial counseling, and research down-payment assistance programs if homeownership is a goal.
At 71.2 years, Buena Vista residents live roughly 8 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years—one of the steepest disparities in Virginia. More than 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, indicating a community facing serious and persistent health challenges.
Among Virginia's lowest health rankings
Buena Vista's 71.2-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom of Virginia counties, falling 3.9 years short of the state average of 75.1 years. This wide gap demands urgent attention to the root causes of poor health outcomes in the city.
Notably lower health outcomes locally
Buena Vista's life expectancy significantly trails Campbell County (76.5 years) and Carroll County (74.5 years) by 3-5 years. While its uninsured rate of 7.3% is near the state average, limited primary care access remains unmeasured in current data.
Mental health support outpaces primary care gaps
While specific primary care provider numbers are unavailable for Buena Vista, the city's 76 mental health providers per 100,000 residents suggest strength in behavioral health services. Residents may need to look beyond the city limits for comprehensive primary care options.
Get insured and access preventive care
Even with a lower uninsured rate, Buena Vista residents should review coverage options to ensure access to preventive care that could improve health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore plans and understand your options today.
With a composite risk score of just 3.28 and a Very Low rating, Buena Vista city faces among the lowest natural disaster risk in the United States. The city's minimal exposure across flood, wildfire, and tornado hazards places it well below national and Virginia averages.
Virginia's lowest-risk jurisdiction
Buena Vista's composite score of 3.28 dramatically undercuts Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it the commonwealth's safest community for natural disasters. The city benefits from geography and climate that minimize exposure to nearly every major hazard category.
Dramatically safer than regional peers
Buena Vista's risk score of 3.28 stands apart from neighboring Charlottesville city (24.33) and Campbell County (32.00), offering substantially greater protection. The city's exceptional safety profile makes it one of the most resilient communities in central Virginia.
Hurricane exposure tops minimal hazard list
Buena Vista's risk landscape is remarkably mild, with hurricane exposure at 53.02 and earthquake risk at 22.33 representing the highest concerns. Tornado, flood, and wildfire risks all fall below 20, making this among the least hazard-prone areas in Virginia.
Basic homeowners coverage suffices here
Standard homeowners insurance is typically adequate for Buena Vista residents, as the city faces minimal risk from floods, wildfires, and tornadoes. Annual policy review to ensure adequate replacement cost coverage remains prudent, though specialized disaster insurance is rarely necessary in this low-risk community.