Pulaski's composite score of 74.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 50%, placing it squarely in America's top tier of livable counties. This exceptional ranking stems from outstanding tax and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Above Virginia's state average
Pulaski scores 74.9 versus Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it among the Commonwealth's stronger performers. A 4.6-point advantage reflects fiscal management benefiting residents.
3 / 5
Best overall affordability in the region
Pulaski excels with tax score 84.1 (0.644% rate) and cost score 81.0 (median rent: $815/month and homes at $182,500)—among the most affordable in this group. These dimensions create genuine financial breathing room.
4 / 5
Income growth lags peer counties
Income score of 23.1 and median household income of $60,767 reflect limited high-wage employment opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environment data remain incomplete.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious professionals
Pulaski suits remote workers, retirees, and those in service sectors seeking rock-bottom living costs without sacrificing quality housing stock. It offers maximum purchasing power for budget-conscious households.
Pulaski's composite score of 74.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 50%, placing it squarely in America's top tier of livable counties. This exceptional ranking stems from outstanding tax and housing affordability.
Above Virginia's state average
Pulaski scores 74.9 versus Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it among the Commonwealth's stronger performers. A 4.6-point advantage reflects fiscal management benefiting residents.
Best overall affordability in the region
Pulaski excels with tax score 84.1 (0.644% rate) and cost score 81.0 (median rent: $815/month and homes at $182,500)—among the most affordable in this group. These dimensions create genuine financial breathing room.
Income growth lags peer counties
Income score of 23.1 and median household income of $60,767 reflect limited high-wage employment opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environment data remain incomplete.
Ideal for cost-conscious professionals
Pulaski suits remote workers, retirees, and those in service sectors seeking rock-bottom living costs without sacrificing quality housing stock. It offers maximum purchasing power for budget-conscious households.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Pulaski County's effective rate of 0.644% sits below the national median of 0.85%, making it a relatively affordable jurisdiction nationally. The median property tax of $1,176 is 56% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting Pulaski's modest median home value of $182,500.
Pulaski ranks slightly above Virginia's average
At 0.644%, Pulaski's effective rate is just slightly below Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it squarely in the middle of Virginia's tax landscape. The median annual bill of $1,176 runs notably below the state median of $1,960 due to lower property values.
Pulaski competes well against regional counties
Pulaski's 0.644% rate edges out Radford (0.703%) and sits favorably compared to Prince George (0.782%) and Prince William (0.981%). Among rural and small-town Virginia counties, Pulaski offers solid tax competitiveness.
Pulaski's modest annual property tax
On a median home valued at $182,500, Pulaski residents pay approximately $1,176 per year in property taxes. That's just $98 monthly, positioning Pulaski as one of Virginia's more affordable places to own property from a tax perspective.
Assessment challenges benefit Pulaski homeowners
Even in lower-value markets like Pulaski, properties are sometimes assessed above fair market value. A free reassessment appeal can verify your valuation is accurate or potentially lower your annual tax obligation.
Pulaski County achieves a rent-to-income ratio of just 16.1%, well below the comfortable 20–25% threshold, with median rent of only $815—the lowest among all eight counties. Though median household income of $60,767 trails the national median by $13,988, Pulaski's low rents more than compensate.
Best-in-class Virginia affordability
Pulaski's rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% beats Virginia's state average of 18.6% by a meaningful margin, and its median rent of $815 is 29% cheaper than the state average. Pulaski ranks among Virginia's most affordable counties overall.
Rivals Prince Edward for lowest rents
Pulaski's median rent of $815 edges out Prince Edward's $898 by just $83 monthly, making both counties exceptional values. Both offer sub-$900 rents, though Pulaski's slightly lower rent-to-income ratio (16.1% vs 19.6%) gives it a marginal edge.
Rents and mortgages align affordably
Renters in Pulaski pay $815 monthly while homeowners face $841—remarkably similar costs—on a median home value of $182,500. With median household income at $60,767 annually ($5,064 monthly), housing consumes just 16% of income, leaving room for emergencies and savings.
Pulaski: Affordability meets stability
If you're relocating on a modest budget, Pulaski County offers the region's lowest rents ($815) and best affordability ratios (16.1%) without compromise. Remote workers and retirees with incomes above $50,000 will find genuine financial breathing room here.
Pulaski County's median household income of $60,767 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 19%, reflecting a modest-income rural economy. The gap reflects Pulaski's historical manufacturing base and limited diversification into higher-wage sectors.
Pulaski ranks below Virginia average
Pulaski's $60,767 median household income falls short of Virginia's state average of $74,957 by $14,190, placing it in the lower-middle income tier. The county faces the economic pressures common to Southwest Virginia's post-industrial communities.
Pulaski earns moderately in regional context
Pulaski ($60,767) outearns Portsmouth ($58,972) and Prince Edward ($55,082), but significantly trails Prince George ($88,225) and Powhatan ($110,667). The variation reflects Pulaski's manufacturing heritage versus wealthier suburban and government-anchored neighbors.
Affordable housing supports financial stability
Pulaski residents spend just 16.1% of income on rent—among the lowest in this group—with median home values of $182,500 highly accessible. This affordability allows households to allocate significant resources to debt reduction and savings.
Leverage affordability to build assets
Pulaski households earning $60,767 with low housing costs can dedicate $6,000–$9,100 yearly (10–15% of income) to retirement and investment accounts. The combination of modest income and affordable housing creates real opportunity for long-term wealth accumulation.
At 73.6 years, Pulaski's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2.5 years, indicating notable health headwinds. With 17.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 17.3% but rising—the county shows moderate health concerns.
Below-average life expectancy in Virginia
Pulaski ranks among Virginia's lower performers with a life expectancy 1.5 years below the state average of 75.1 years. Its 17.7% poor/fair health rate sits slightly below the state median, but the longevity gap signals systemic health challenges.
Struggles versus wealthier rural counties
Pulaski's 73.6-year life expectancy trails Rappahannock (78.8 years) and Powhatan (77.9 years) by significant margins, reflecting economic and structural health differences. The county's 17.7% poor/fair health rate beats Prince Edward (21.2%) but lags most regional peers.
Scarce mental health services, modest primary care
Pulaski has 33 primary care providers and only 51 mental health providers per 100,000—among the lowest mental health capacity in this group. With a 6.5% uninsured rate below the state average of 7.9%, insurance access is strong, yet provider scarcity limits effective care pathways.
Protect your access to care
Pulaski's limited provider network means uninsured residents face even steeper barriers. Verify coverage at healthcare.gov and connect with community health centers for care coordination and mental health support.
With a composite risk score of 45.9, Pulaski ranks as relatively low overall—just above the national average. The county's flood risk of 65.8 and earthquake risk of 68.0 create elevated exposure despite lower tornado and wildfire threats.
Moderately riskier than Virginia average
Pulaski's score of 45.9 exceeds Virginia's state average of 33.3, placing it in the upper-middle tier of commonwealth counties. The county's southwest location and river geography contribute to above-average hazard exposure.
Riskier than most rural Virginia counties
Pulaski (45.9) ranks higher than Powhatan (21.1), Prince Edward (32.4), and Prince George (13.9), but lower than Prince William (83.2). The county's flood vulnerability from major river corridors distinguishes it from other inland areas.
Flooding poses the paramount threat
Pulaski's flood risk of 65.8 far surpasses tornado risk of 17.7 and wildfire risk of 25.9, making water damage the primary concern. Earthquake exposure at 68.0 adds secondary vulnerability despite Pulaski's distance from major seismic zones.
Flood coverage must be your priority
Pulaski homeowners near rivers or flood-prone areas should secure flood insurance immediately through the National Flood Insurance Program or private carriers. Standard homeowners policies exclude flooding, leaving uninsured residents vulnerable to significant financial loss.