CountyScore

Radford city

Virginia · VA

#26 in Virginia
74
County Score

County Report Card

About Radford city, Virginia

Radford scores solidly above U.S. median

Radford's composite score of 72.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, ranking it well above most American communities. Strong tax and housing scores drive this competitive livability profile.

Slightly above Virginia's benchmark

Radford scores 72.0 compared to Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it marginally above the Commonwealth mean. The narrow 1.7-point advantage reflects steady but unremarkable performance.

Low taxes and affordable housing

Radford shines with tax score 82.5 (0.703% rate) and cost score 77.7 (median rent: $966/month, homes at $211,700). This combination delivers strong financial value for residents.

Income levels constrain household wealth

Income score of 17.9 and median household income of $52,791 are among the lowest, limiting earning potential and wealth accumulation. Safety, health, school, and environmental data gaps prevent fuller assessment.

Appeals to students and retirees

Radford suits college students, young professionals early in careers, and retirees on fixed incomes prioritizing affordability over high earnings. Its low costs offset limited income growth.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82.5Cost77.7SafetyComing SoonHealth71.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk97.4WaterComing Soon
🏛82.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Radford city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bibb County
Alabama
74
Median income: $51,215
Crenshaw County
Alabama
74
Median income: $49,040
Fremont County
Idaho
74
Median income: $72,767
Metcalfe County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $48,572
Trimble County
Kentucky
74
Median income: $67,813

Deep Dives

Radford city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Radford city

via TaxByCounty

Radford's tax rate slightly exceeds national median

Radford's effective rate of 0.703% slightly exceeds the national median of 0.85%, but just barely. The median property tax of $1,488 is 45% lower than the national median of $2,690, as Radford's median home value of $211,700 is notably below the national median.

Radford slightly above Virginia's average tax

At 0.703%, Radford's effective rate sits just above Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it a moderate-tax jurisdiction. The median annual bill of $1,488 is significantly below the state median of $1,960, reflecting the city's lower home values.

Radford moderate among regional peers

Radford's 0.703% rate ranks between Pulaski (0.644%) and Prince George (0.782%), offering a middle ground in the region. It's considerably lower than Prince William (0.981%) and Portsmouth (1.069%).

Radford's manageable annual tax obligation

On a median home valued at $211,700, Radford residents pay approximately $1,488 per year in property taxes. That works out to about $124 monthly, making Radford an affordable option for moderate-income homeowners.

Check your Radford assessment for accuracy

Even in more modest markets, overassessment occurs regularly in Radford. A free reassessment appeal during your jurisdiction's valuation cycle could validate your payment or uncover savings opportunities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Radford city

via CostByCounty

Radford's rents burden lower-income households

Radford City's rent-to-income ratio of 22.0% sits at the high end of acceptable, driven by median household income of just $52,791—nearly $22,000 below the national median. At $966 monthly, Radford's median rent is moderate, but stretched thin across modest incomes.

Above Virginia's affordability comfort zone

Radford's rent-to-income ratio of 22.0% exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6%, placing it among the state's less-affordable communities. The city's median rent of $966 runs 15% above the state average, compounding affordability challenges for lower-income residents.

Pricier than Pulaski, cheaper than Portsmouth

Radford's median rent of $966 sits between Pulaski's $815 and Portsmouth's $1,266, reflecting its mid-size city status. Despite moderate rents, Radford's lower-income base (median $52,791) creates higher rent-to-income pressure than Pulaski (16.1%) or Prince Edward (19.6%).

Homeownership slightly more affordable

Renters in Radford pay $966 monthly while homeowners face $867 in monthly costs on a median home value of $211,700. With median household income at $52,791 annually ($4,399 monthly), renters consume 22% of income on housing while homeowners spend just under 20%.

Radford suits budget-conscious homebuyers

Radford City works well for first-time homebuyers with household incomes around $55,000+, where monthly ownership costs ($867) become more affordable than renting. Renters here face tighter budgets, making this city a better choice for those planning to purchase.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Radford city

via IncomeByCounty

Radford's income significantly below national average

Radford's median household income of $52,791 falls 29% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, among the lowest in this analysis. The lower income reflects Radford's role as a college town with limited major employers beyond Radford University.

Radford ranks among Virginia's lowest-income cities

Radford's $52,791 median household income trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by $22,166, placing it in the bottom quintile statewide. The gap reflects limited economic diversity and smaller employer base relative to Virginia's wealthier urban and suburban regions.

Radford is among region's lowest earners

Radford ($52,791) ranks among the lowest in this group, surpassing only Prince Edward ($55,082), and far below Pulaski ($60,767). The college-town economy concentrates lower-wage service and education jobs, limiting median household income growth.

Rent costs strain lower incomes modestly

Radford residents spend 22.0% of income on rent—a manageable but notable burden—while median home values of $211,700 require careful planning. The ratio suggests many households prioritize renting and that homeownership demands significant financial discipline.

Students and young workers can start investing

Radford households earning $52,791 can direct $4,200–$7,900 yearly (8–15% of income) to savings and retirement accounts despite tight budgets. Young professionals and students should leverage early-career years to build investment habits that compound over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Radford city

via HealthByCounty

Radford slightly trails national health standard

At 74.8 years, Radford's life expectancy falls 1.3 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, reflecting modest health challenges. With 18.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the city edges slightly above the national average of 17.3%, indicating moderate population health stress.

Below Virginia's health average

Radford's life expectancy of 74.8 years trails the state average of 75.1 years by just 0.3 years, placing it near the middle of Virginia's health rankings. Its 18.7% poor/fair health rate sits slightly above the state median, reflecting middle-tier health status.

Outperforms Portsmouth, trails wealthier peers

Radford's 74.8-year life expectancy substantially beats Portsmouth (70.5 years) but trails Pulaski (73.6 years) and most rural counties. The city's 18.7% poor/fair health rate sits between Pulaski (17.7%) and Prince Edward (21.2%), indicating mixed community health.

Strong provider availability with low uninsured rates

Radford offers solid primary care (55 providers per 100,000) and strong mental health services (259 providers per 100,000). With just 5.9% of residents uninsured—the lowest rate in this analysis and well below Virginia's 7.9%—the city has strong foundational access to care.

Build on Radford's coverage strength

Radford's low uninsured rate is an asset; maintain it by confirming coverage at healthcare.gov and encouraging neighbors to do the same to sustain the city's health gains.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Radford city

via RiskByCounty

Radford ranks among America's safest cities

With a composite risk score of just 2.64, Radford is very low risk—extraordinarily far below the national average. The city's exceptional safety profile reflects its small size, inland location, and distance from major hazard corridors.

Virginia's lowest-risk jurisdiction

Radford's score of 2.64 is dramatically lower than Virginia's state average of 33.3, making it the commonwealth's most protected community. This exceptional rating reflects the city's favorable geography and minimal urban exposure.

Substantially safer than all comparable areas

Radford (2.64) ranks far below Pulaski County (45.9), Prince Edward County (32.4), and every other comparable Virginia jurisdiction. The city's unique low-hazard positioning stands out even among rural Virginia's safest places.

Earthquake poses only notable hazard

Radford's earthquake risk of 44.8 slightly exceeds all other hazard exposures, though even this remains below Virginia averages. Flood (11.4), tornado (8.14), and wildfire (2.7) risks are exceptionally minimal.

Basic insurance provides complete protection

Radford residents can confidently rely on standard homeowners insurance without supplemental riders or specialized coverage. Given the city's exceptional safety profile, property protection remains straightforward and cost-effective.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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