CountyScore

Staunton city

Virginia · VA

#45 in Virginia
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Staunton city, Virginia

Staunton slightly above national norm

Staunton City scores 71.2 on the CountyScore composite index, meaningfully higher than the national median of 50.0. The city demonstrates solid livability grounded in reasonable housing costs and tax efficiency.

Right at Virginia's state average

Staunton City scores 71.2, fractionally above Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it squarely in the middle of the commonwealth's livability rankings. The city performs competitively on overall quality-of-life measures relative to other Virginia communities.

Balanced taxes and moderate costs

Staunton City scores 82.3 on tax burden with an effective rate of 0.709%, paired with a cost score of 74.6 reflecting median home values of $239,300 and rents of $993 monthly. This combination delivers reasonable affordability for mid-range earners in Virginia's Blue Ridge region.

Income growth lags regional peers

Staunton City's income score of 24.2 reflects a median household income of $62,586, limiting economic opportunity relative to higher-income counties. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain incomplete for a comprehensive livability assessment.

Great for creative, culture-seeking earners

Staunton City suits artists, retirees, and remote workers seeking cultural amenities and outdoor recreation without urban prices or rural isolation. Its downtown renewal and historic charm appeal to those prioritizing quality of place over maximum income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost74.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk89.4WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.4
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 Staunton city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
Arkansas
72.7
Median income: $49,252
Yuma County
Colorado
72.7
Median income: $60,051
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $45,262

Deep Dives

Staunton city across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Staunton city

via TaxByCounty

Staunton taxes competitive with U.S. norm

Staunton city's effective tax rate of 0.709% sits just below the national median property tax ratio and would yield roughly $2,000 on the national median home value of $281,900. However, Staunton's median home value of $239,300—15% below the national median—means typical residents pay less in absolute dollars despite a higher-than-average rate.

Above Virginia's average rate overall

Staunton city's 0.709% effective rate exceeds Virginia's 0.671% state average by about 6%, positioning it in the higher-tax tier across the Commonwealth. The median property tax of $1,696 runs about 13% below Virginia's $1,960 state median, thanks to home values modestly below the statewide norm.

Pricier than rural southwestern counties

Staunton city's 0.709% rate significantly exceeds nearby rural counties like Shenandoah (0.546%) and Smyth (0.609%), reflecting its status as a regional urban hub. However, Staunton remains cheaper than Stafford County (0.720%) in the state's more expensive northern region.

Median Staunton tax is $1,696 yearly

With a median home value of $239,300, Staunton city homeowners pay approximately $1,696 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,657; without one, it climbs to $1,743—moderate costs for a city with growing cultural and educational amenities.

Free appeals available for overpaid taxes

Staunton homeowners suspicious of their assessment values can appeal to the city assessor at no cost, especially important after the downtown revitalization and rising property values. Older assessments may not reflect current fair market values, potentially reducing your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Staunton city

via CostByCounty

Staunton's Urban Affordability Challenge

Staunton city's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, reflecting tight housing markets in this historic downtown revitalization hub. At $993 monthly rent and $62,586 median household income, urban amenities come at a premium compared to surrounding rural counties.

Above Virginia's Average Ratio

Staunton city's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Virginia's 18.6% state average, placing it among the commonwealth's tighter housing markets. This premium reflects the city's growing popularity as a cultural and economic center, attracting young professionals and remote workers.

Urban Premium vs. Rural Bargains

Staunton's $993 rent significantly exceeds nearby rural counties like Shenandoah ($968) while its 19.0% ratio exceeds Southwest Virginia's affordable trio of Scott, Smyth, and Shenandoah. The urban affordability challenge reflects Staunton's renewed appeal as a downtown revitalization success story.

Balanced Urban Housing Costs

Renters in Staunton spend $993 monthly while homeowners pay $1,040—a modest $47 gap reflecting the city's accessible ownership markets. With median home values of $239,300 and median income of $62,586, first-time homebuyers find urban convenience within reasonable reach.

Staunton: Downtown Living Trade-offs

Staunton city offers walkable urban amenities at a premium—$993 rents and $239,300 homes—compared to surrounding rural Virginia. If downtown culture and community justify higher housing costs, compare Staunton's value against other revitalized small cities across the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Staunton city

via IncomeByCounty

Staunton trails national income by 16.3%

Staunton's median household income of $62,586 falls 16.3% below the U.S. median of $74,755, a substantial gap for a city-designated municipality. Households here earn approximately $12,169 less annually than the typical American family, reflecting mid-sized city economic realities.

Below Virginia average but maintaining presence

Staunton earns $12,371 less than Virginia's state median of $74,957, ranking below the state average despite its role as a Shenandoah Valley cultural hub. The $35,941 per capita income trails the state by $3,214, suggesting uneven wealth distribution within the city.

Competitive with Shenandoah Valley economies

Staunton's $62,586 income falls slightly below neighboring Shenandoah County's $64,437 but exceeds struggling southwestern counties like Scott ($45,136) and Smyth ($46,859). The city's position reflects its identity as a regional cultural and commercial center with modest but stable employment.

Housing affordability strained by higher ratio

Staunton's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio is the highest burden among these eight jurisdictions, suggesting housing costs consume more of household income here. A median home value of $239,300 remains achievable for Staunton households, though with less financial flexibility than surrounding counties.

Disciplined planning compensates for modest income

Staunton residents must employ careful budgeting to maximize wealth-building potential given higher housing cost ratios. Explore first-time homebuyer assistance, employer retirement matching programs, and community development financial institutions that support modest-income households in building long-term assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Staunton city

via HealthByCounty

Staunton's Health Just Below National Average

Staunton's 74.9-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 4 years, indicating room for improvement. With 18.0% reporting poor or fair health, the city exceeds the national rate of 16%, though not dramatically.

Below Virginia's State Health Average

Staunton's 74.9-year life expectancy falls slightly below Virginia's state average of 75.1 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's municipalities. The 18.0% poor health rate aligns with state trends but indicates room for targeted interventions.

Mixed Health Profile Across Region

Staunton's 74.9-year life expectancy exceeds Scott County (73.4 years) but lags Shenandoah County (76.6 years) by 1.7 years. The city offers 47 primary care providers per 100K and an exceptional 780 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding regional peers.

Outstanding Mental Health Access; Moderate Primary Care

Staunton's 7.2% uninsured rate matches Scott County's and is better than Virginia's 7.9% average, ensuring most residents have insurance. The city's 780 mental health providers per 100K is exceptional—a significant strength for addressing behavioral and mental health needs.

Explore Affordable Health Insurance Today

Staunton residents without insurance should visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and check Medicaid eligibility. With robust mental health resources available, coverage ensures you can access the full spectrum of care your community offers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Staunton city

via RiskByCounty

Staunton ranks among America's safest

Staunton city scores just 10.62 with a Very Low rating, placing it far below Virginia's state average of 33.27. This represents exceptional resilience across nearly all natural hazard categories, making Staunton one of the nation's lowest-risk municipalities.

Virginia's lowest disaster risk city

Staunton city's 10.62 composite score ranks it as the Commonwealth's safest jurisdiction by far, reflecting minimal exposure across earthquake, wildfire, tornado, flood, and hurricane hazards. The rating reflects the city's inland Shenandoah Valley position and favorable topography.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Staunton city's 10.62 score is less than one-fifth of adjacent Shenandoah County's 59.83, demonstrating how dramatically municipal boundaries can affect risk. The city's compact urban footprint and distance from major flood corridors account for much of this differential.

Hurricane risk the only meaningful concern

Hurricane risk at 62.29 is Staunton's sole hazard scoring above 50, reflecting atmospheric exposure despite inland location. All other risks score well below state average: earthquakes (41.38), flood (30.41), tornado (15.52), and wildfire (11.16).

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Staunton residents enjoy exceptional natural hazard protection and can likely rely on standard homeowners policies for most risks. However, verify wind and hail coverage details; the 62.29 hurricane risk—while low absolutely—represents the city's only meaningful insurance consideration.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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