Prince Edward's composite score of 75.7 beats the national median of 50.0 by 51%, positioning it among the most livable counties nationwide. This strong performance rests on exceptional tax and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Among Virginia's strongest performers
Prince Edward scores 75.7 compared to Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it in the Commonwealth's upper tier. A 7.6-point advantage reflects deliberate fiscal management benefiting residents.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes, excellent housing value
Prince Edward leads with a tax score of 90.9 (effective rate: 0.403%) and cost score of 78.3 (median rent: $898/month)—the lowest rental costs among these eight counties. Median home value of $203,700 delivers genuine affordability for buyers.
4 / 5
Income growth potential remains limited
The income score of 19.3 and median household income of $55,082 lag state and national standards, suggesting limited high-wage employment. Missing data on safety, health, and schools compounds the incomplete livability picture.
5 / 5
Perfect for affordability-focused residents
Prince Edward suits individuals and families prioritizing rock-bottom living costs and tax burden over career advancement or premium services. It's especially appealing to retirees, remote workers, and those serving lower-income sectors.
Prince Edward's composite score of 75.7 beats the national median of 50.0 by 51%, positioning it among the most livable counties nationwide. This strong performance rests on exceptional tax and housing affordability.
Among Virginia's strongest performers
Prince Edward scores 75.7 compared to Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it in the Commonwealth's upper tier. A 7.6-point advantage reflects deliberate fiscal management benefiting residents.
Lowest taxes, excellent housing value
Prince Edward leads with a tax score of 90.9 (effective rate: 0.403%) and cost score of 78.3 (median rent: $898/month)—the lowest rental costs among these eight counties. Median home value of $203,700 delivers genuine affordability for buyers.
Income growth potential remains limited
The income score of 19.3 and median household income of $55,082 lag state and national standards, suggesting limited high-wage employment. Missing data on safety, health, and schools compounds the incomplete livability picture.
Perfect for affordability-focused residents
Prince Edward suits individuals and families prioritizing rock-bottom living costs and tax burden over career advancement or premium services. It's especially appealing to retirees, remote workers, and those serving lower-income sectors.
Score breakdown
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🏛90.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Prince Edward offers Virginia's most affordable tax rates
Prince Edward County's effective rate of just 0.403% ranks among the lowest in America, well below the national median of 0.85%. The median property tax bill is only $820 annually on homes valued at $203,700—a full 70% less than the national median tax of $2,690.
Lowest-taxing county in Virginia by far
Prince Edward's 0.403% effective rate is the lowest among all Virginia counties, less than 60% of the state average of 0.671%. At $820 per year, the median tax bill is less than half the state median of $1,960, making it Virginia's most tax-friendly jurisdiction.
Prince Edward vastly undercuts regional competitors
Prince Edward's rate of 0.403% is dramatically lower than Prince George County (0.782%), Powhatan (0.634%), and Pulaski (0.644%). No neighboring county comes close to Prince Edward's exceptionally low tax burden.
Your modest annual Prince Edward tax bill
On a median home valued at $203,700, Prince Edward residents pay only $820 per year in property taxes. That's just $68 monthly, making it one of Virginia's most affordable places to own property from a tax perspective.
Double-check your assessment even in low-tax counties
Even with Prince Edward's favorable rates, some homeowners remain overassessed relative to their neighbors. A free reassessment appeal could validate your property's value or potentially reduce what you owe even further.
Prince Edward County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% sits comfortably within the ideal 20–25% range, despite median household income of $55,082 trailing the national median by nearly $20,000. At just $898 monthly, Prince Edward's median rent is the lowest among the eight counties profiled and significantly undercuts the national norm.
Better than Virginia's state average
Prince Edward's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% beats Virginia's state average of 18.6%, and its median rent of $898 runs $242 below the state average. For renters with modest incomes, Prince Edward delivers genuine affordability.
Cheapest rent among regional peers
Prince Edward's median rent of $898 undercuts Portsmouth ($1,266), Prince George ($1,563), and even Pulaski ($815 is lower). This makes Prince Edward an attractive option for budget-conscious renters, though those seeking higher incomes may find fewer economic opportunities locally.
Rents and mortgages stay modest
Renters in Prince Edward spend $898 monthly while homeowners face $915 in monthly costs on a median home value of $203,700. At a median household income of $55,082 annually ($4,590 monthly), housing consumes roughly 20% of income for both renters and homeowners—a fair balance.
Prince Edward: Affordable and underrated
Relocating to Prince Edward County means locking in some of Virginia's lowest housing costs without sacrificing affordability ratios. Median rent of $898 and a 19.6% housing burden make this rural county an excellent destination for remote workers or retirees prioritizing stretch-your-dollar living.
Prince Edward County's median household income of $55,082 falls 26% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the nation's lower-income rural counties. The gap reflects limited economic opportunities and smaller employer base typical of Southside Virginia.
Among Virginia's lowest-income counties
Prince Edward's $55,082 median ranks in the bottom quartile of Virginia counties, trailing the state average of $74,957 by nearly $20,000. This gap mirrors broader rural Virginia economic challenges and limited wage growth opportunities.
Prince Edward faces regional income gap
Prince Edward ($55,082) earns significantly less than Prince George ($88,225) and Powhatan ($110,667), though slightly more than Radford ($52,791). The disparities highlight how proximity to urban centers and regional economic hubs shapes local earning potential.
Housing costs strain modest incomes
Prince Edward residents spend 19.6% of income on rent—a manageable level—but median home values of $203,700 require careful financial planning relative to $55,082 incomes. The ratio suggests homeownership requires substantial down payments or longer mortgage terms.
Even small investments compound over time
Prince Edward households earning $55,082 can direct $4,400–$8,200 annually (8–15% of income) to retirement and savings accounts despite tight budgets. Consistent investing through employer 401(k)s and Roth IRAs builds wealth momentum even on lower incomes.
At 74.0 years, Prince Edward's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than two years, indicating health challenges. Over one in five residents (21.2%) report poor or fair health, nearly matching the national crisis level of 17.3% and suggesting significant population health stress.
Among Virginia's worst health outcomes
Prince Edward ranks near the bottom of Virginia counties with a life expectancy 1.1 years below the state average of 75.1 years. Its 21.2% poor/fair health rate ties Portsmouth as one of the state's worst, indicating concentrated health disparities.
Struggling versus surrounding counties
Prince Edward's 74.0-year life expectancy trails Powhatan (77.9 years) and Rappahannock (78.8 years) by substantial margins. The county's 21.2% poor/fair health rate far exceeds neighboring Pulaski County (17.7%), signaling distinct local health challenges.
Adequate providers but high uninsured rates
Prince Edward offers 64 primary care providers per 100,000 and 299 mental health providers per 100,000—strong on paper. However, 8.4% of residents lack insurance, exceeding the state average of 7.9%, which may prevent many from accessing those available services.
Close the coverage gap now
Above-average uninsured rates in Prince Edward mean care goes delayed or foregone entirely. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find affordable coverage and begin reversing the county's health trajectory.
With a composite risk score of 32.4, Prince Edward is very low risk—just slightly below the national average. The county's rural, inland character shields residents from many of the coastal and high-density hazards that elevate national risk.
Nearly matches Virginia's average risk
Prince Edward's score of 32.4 closely tracks Virginia's state average of 33.3, reflecting a fairly typical risk profile for the commonwealth. The county sits in the moderate zone for a rural Virginia jurisdiction.
Safer than Prince William, riskier than Powhatan
Prince Edward (32.4) falls between safer Powhatan County (21.1) and the much higher-risk Prince William County (83.2). This middle-ground position reflects Prince Edward's distance from major flood corridors and urban centers.
Hurricane and earthquake top the risk list
Prince Edward's hurricane risk of 76.5 and earthquake risk of 65.2 exceed tornado (26.6) and flood (25.3) exposures. Though inland, the county remains somewhat vulnerable to tropical systems tracking through Virginia.
Standard insurance covers most perils adequately
Prince Edward homeowners can rely on basic homeowners insurance for typical risks like wind and hail. Consider adding flood coverage if your property sits near a stream or drainage area, and review your policy's windstorm provisions before hurricane season.