countyscore
49.3
County Score
Disaster Risk 97.6Income & Jobs 74.4Property Tax 73.6

County Report Card

About Williamsburg city, Virginia

A National Middleweight for Living

Williamsburg city holds a composite score of 50.1, placing it just slightly above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a balanced profile that aligns closely with typical American living standards.

Trailing the Virginia State Average

While competitive nationally, the city sits just below the Virginia state average score of 50.9. It functions as a stable anchor in the Tidewater region despite missing the top tier of state rankings.

Exceptional Safety from Natural Hazards

The city boasts a remarkable risk score of 97.6, indicating very low vulnerability to natural disasters. Residents also benefit from a low 0.576% effective tax rate and a strong health score of 71.4.

High Costs and Safety Concerns

Housing affordability is a significant hurdle, with a cost score of 16.2 and median home values reaching $393,200. Additionally, the safety score of 25.8 suggests there is room for improvement in local crime metrics.

Ideal for Health-Conscious Professionals

This city is a perfect match for high-earning professionals or retirees who value environmental security and quality healthcare. While housing is expensive, the low tax burden and natural safety provide long-term peace of mind.

2040608010073.613.125.871.456.674.497.671.5Tax73.6Cost13.1Safety25.8Health71.4Schools56.6Income74.4Risk97.6WaterWeather71.549.3/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Williamsburg city DNA

Foverall

How Williamsburg city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Williamsburg city scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (97.6/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
73.6+21.599999999999994
Cost
13.1-34.9
Safety
25.8-29.2
Health
71.4+21.400000000000006
Schools
56.6
Income
74.4+23.400000000000006
Risk
97.6+50.599999999999994
Weather
71.5+15.5
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Williamsburg city

Whether buying or refinancing in Williamsburg city, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$428,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,407/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$428,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$56,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $75,604/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Williamsburg city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Williamsburg city

via TaxByCounty

Williamsburg taxes rank low nationally

Williamsburg's effective tax rate of 0.576% sits well below the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,265 annually—well below the national median of $2,690—despite higher home values, reflecting the city's lighter tax hand.

Below-average tax burden in Virginia

Williamsburg's 0.576% effective rate runs 14.5% lower than Virginia's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the more tax-friendly localities in the Commonwealth. The city's median tax of $2,265 exceeds the state average of $1,960, driven by higher property values rather than higher rates.

Lowest rate in the urban cluster

Among Virginia's city jurisdictions, Williamsburg's 0.576% rate is substantially lower than Winchester city's 0.769%, giving homeowners a meaningful advantage. Williamsburg's lighter tax load reflects its smaller local budget needs compared to its more populated neighbor to the north.

Your annual tax bill in Williamsburg

On the median home valued at $393,200, a Williamsburg homeowner pays approximately $2,265 per year in property taxes. This translates to roughly $189 monthly—a modest burden relative to both national and state averages when adjusted for home value.

Even low-tax jurisdictions see overassessments

Many Williamsburg homeowners may still be paying taxes on inflated property assessments, especially if their home hasn't been revalued recently. Filing an appeal with the local assessor's office is free and can uncover significant savings, regardless of your jurisdiction's overall tax rate.

Income & Jobs in Williamsburg city

via IncomeByCounty

Williamsburg earns below the national average

At $70,206, Williamsburg's median household income trails the national median of $74,755 by about $4,500. This places the city in the lower-middle range nationally, despite its historic significance and tourism-driven economy.

Below Virginia's median income

Williamsburg ranks below Virginia's state average of $74,957, earning roughly $4,750 less per household. The city's per capita income of $35,732 also lags the state's $39,155 average, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.

Competing with nearby regional centers

Williamsburg's $70,206 income exceeds neighboring Winchester ($64,648) and regional counties like Wise ($50,740), but falls well short of York County's $108,326. The city's economic profile reflects tourism and college employment, while York's proximity to Hampton Roads drives higher incomes.

Housing remains affordable here

A 23.3% rent-to-income ratio means Williamsburg households spend less than a quarter of income on rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $393,200 is manageable relative to local incomes, making homeownership feasible for established households.

Build financial stability in Williamsburg

With median income at $70,206 and reasonable housing costs, Williamsburg residents have breathing room to invest and plan for retirement. Starting or reviewing a 401(k), building an emergency fund, and consulting a financial advisor can help turn stable earnings into long-term wealth.

Safety in Williamsburg city

via CrimeByCounty

Williamsburg’s Safety Compared to Nation

Williamsburg earns a safety score of 97.1, reflecting a generally secure community. Its total crime rate of 1,821.0 per 100,000 is lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

How Williamsburg Fits Into Virginia

The city’s total crime rate of 1,821.0 sits slightly above the Virginia state average of 1,728.8. Its safety score of 97.1 is nearly identical to the state average of 97.3.

Regional Data and Agency Context

Williamsburg’s crime rate is comparable to Virginia Beach’s 1,849.1 but higher than Westmoreland’s 1,006.5. This data reflects a single reporting agency and should be viewed as a specific city snapshot.

Breaking Down the Crime Types

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,607.9, while violent crime is reported at 213.1 per 100,000. Both metrics show that incidents are less frequent here than the national averages.

Maintaining Safety in a Historic City

With property crime being the primary concern, residents should focus on securing their homes. Visible security cameras and good exterior lighting are effective deterrents in this community.

Lawn Care in Williamsburg city

via LawnByCounty

Easier Than Average Growth in Williamsburg

Williamsburg earns a 61.4 lawn difficulty score, making it easier to maintain than the national median of 50.0 and the Virginia state average of 55.4. While specific hardiness zone data is limited for the city center, the region generally enjoys a favorable environment for consistent growth.

High Rainfall and Significant Coastal Heat

The city receives 51.2 inches of annual precipitation, which is slightly above the ideal range of 30-50 inches. Residents must manage 37 extreme heat days over 90°F, significantly more than the state average of 28, requiring more attentive summer hydration.

Local Soil Testing Recommended for Success

Detailed soil texture and pH data are currently unavailable for this specific city jurisdiction. Homeowners should perform a professional soil test to determine the exact nutrient levels and amendments needed for their specific landscape.

Managing Dry Spells in the Historic District

The city experienced three weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Focus on deep, infrequent watering in the early morning to build resilient root systems during these dry coastal periods.

Start Your Williamsburg Lawn with Heat-Tolerant Turf

Tall fescue or Bermuda grass are excellent choices to handle the 37 annual extreme heat days found here. Plan your seeding or sodding projects for early spring to ensure the roots establish before the summer humidity peaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Williamsburg city's county score?
Williamsburg city, Virginia has a composite county score of 49.3 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 Williamsburg city rank among counties in Virginia?
Williamsburg city ranks #85 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 Williamsburg city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Williamsburg city is $2,518, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns Williamsburg city a tax score of 73.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Williamsburg city?
The median household income in Williamsburg city, Virginia is $75,604 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Williamsburg city earns an income score of 74.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Williamsburg city, Virginia a good place to live?
Williamsburg city scores 49.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #85 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg city with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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