countyscore
44.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 96.8Safety 60Lawn Care 59.3

County Report Card

About Buena Vista city, Virginia

Buena Vista Trails National Livability Averages

Buena Vista city holds a composite score of 44.1, trailing the national median of 50.0. While it offers unique small-city perks, it faces uphill climbs in several economic and social categories.

A Challenging Position in the Commonwealth

At 44.1, the city sits below the Virginia state average of 50.9. It currently ranks among the lower-scoring jurisdictions in the state, primarily due to economic and educational headwinds.

Exceptional Safety from Environmental Disasters

Buena Vista boasts an elite natural risk score of 96.8, meaning it is exceptionally safe from common environmental hazards. Public safety also performs well with a score of 60.0, providing a secure environment for residents.

Educational and Economic Barriers to Growth

The city struggles with a school score of 19.1 and an income score of 23.9, with median household earnings of $54,458. Limited water data makes infrastructure assessment difficult, but the high tax rate of 0.941% remains a persistent hurdle.

A Secure Harbor for Independent Households

This city is best for individuals who prioritize physical security and natural disaster resilience above all else. It may suit those with outside income sources or retirees who appreciate a small-town pace without high-risk environmental factors.

2040608010042.244.76036.319.127.896.857.9Tax42.2Cost44.7Safety60Health36.3Schools19.1Income27.8Risk96.8Water—Weather57.944.4/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Buena Vista city DNA

Foverall

How Buena Vista city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Buena Vista city falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Schools (19.1/100), though Disaster Risk (96.8/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
42.2-9.799999999999997
Cost
44.7
Safety
60
Health
36.3-13.700000000000003
Schools
19.1-34.9
Income
27.8-23.2
Risk
96.8+49.8
Weather
57.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Buena Vista city?

Many homeowners in Buena Vista city pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$156,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$156,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,833/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Counties with similar scores

New Castle County
Delaware
Median income: $91,166
44.4
Seminole County
Georgia
Median income: $49,495
44.4
Hillsdale County
Michigan
Median income: $64,242
44.4
Kandiyohi County
Minnesota
Median income: $76,592
44.4
Johnson County
Missouri
Median income: $67,272
44.4
Sullivan County
New York
Median income: $72,382
44.4
Davie County
North Carolina
Median income: $75,057
44.4
Wayne County
Ohio
Median income: $73,574
44.4

Nearby counties

Rockbridge County
Virginia
54.5
Lexington city
Virginia
64.2
Amherst County
Virginia
58.8
Nelson County
Virginia
52.4
Lynchburg city
Virginia
36.8
Bedford County
Virginia
59.1
Botetourt County
Virginia
64.2
Augusta County
Virginia
58.3

Deep Dives

Buena Vista city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Buena Vista city

via TaxByCounty

Buena Vista taxes exceed national average

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Buena Vista city

via IncomeByCounty

Buena Vista earns below national average

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Buena Vista city

via CrimeByCounty

Buena Vista's Strong National Standing

Buena Vista reports a total crime rate of 918.8 per 100K, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This low volume of crime results in a stellar safety score of 98.5.

Exceeding State Safety Norms

The city's safety score of 98.5 exceeds the Virginia average of 97.3. Because these figures come from a single reporting agency, they represent a focused view of local law enforcement activity.

Comparing Rates in the Region

At 918.8 crimes per 100K, Buena Vista is considerably safer than the state average of 1728.8. It maintains a more secure profile than many larger independent cities in the region.

Violent vs Property Crime Breakdown

Property crime sits at 768.2 per 100K, far below the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent incidents are also low at 150.6 per 100K, keeping the community well below national risk levels.

Simple Habits for City Residents

Maintaining high safety starts with community vigilance and securing all entry points at home. Even with a 98.5 safety score, smart habits help deter opportunistic property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Buena Vista city

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Precipitation Levels

Buena Vista records 43.0 inches of annual precipitation, slightly lower than the national median for the eastern United States. This independent city sits within a mountain valley rain shadow.

Drier than the State Average

The city’s 43.0 inches of rain is below the Virginia average of 45.7 inches. It experiences a slightly more sheltered climate than the coastal regions.

Typical Valley Snowfall

Buena Vista averages 11.0 inches of snowfall annually, similar to surrounding Rockbridge County. This is significantly less snow than the higher peaks of the nearby Blue Ridge.

A Light Winter Touch

The city experiences 11.0 inches of snow on average during the winter. While specific temperature data is not recorded, the precipitation suggests a classic four-season cycle.

Manage Stormwater and Light Snow

Homeowners should ensure gutters are clear for the 43 inches of annual rain. A standard shovel is usually enough to handle the 11 inches of seasonal snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Lawn Care in Buena Vista city

via LawnByCounty

Enjoying Above-Average Growing Ease

Buena Vista city boasts a lawn difficulty score of 59.3, outperforming both the state average of 55.4 and the national median of 50.0. This score suggests that local conditions are generally favorable for maintaining a healthy, green yard with standard effort.

Reliable Rainfall for City Lawns

The city receives 43.0 inches of rain annually, which sits comfortably within the ideal 30-50 inch window for healthy turf. This consistent moisture reduces the need for heavy irrigation compared to drier regions of the state.

Building a Foundation with Local Data

While specific soil pH and texture data are unavailable for the city, nearby regions often battle acidic Virginia clay. Local gardeners should conduct a private soil test to ensure their lawn is not missing vital nutrients or lime treatments.

Managing Dry Spells in Buena Vista

The city has endured 28 weeks of drought over the past year, though it currently avoids severe D2+ classifications. While 100.0% of the area is abnormally dry, basic water conservation and mulching can keep lawns healthy during these cycles.

Timing Your Buena Vista Planting

Warm-season grasses thrive here during the summer, while cool-season varieties like fescue offer green color in the spring and fall. Consult local nurseries for the best seeding windows to ensure your lawn establishes itself before the winter chill.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buena Vista city's county score?
Buena Vista city, Virginia has a composite county score of 44.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Buena Vista city rank among counties in Virginia?
Buena Vista city ranks #98 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Buena Vista city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Buena Vista city is $1,421, with an effective tax rate of 0.91%. This earns Buena Vista city a tax score of 42.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Buena Vista city?
The median household income in Buena Vista city, Virginia is $57,833 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Buena Vista city earns an income score of 27.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Buena Vista city, Virginia a good place to live?
Buena Vista city scores 44.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #98 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Buena Vista city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Buena Vista city with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.