Best Affordable Places to Live in Virginia in 2025

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Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and located near Kentucky and Tennessee, Big Stone Gap offers those who love to be outdoor an endless variety of things to do, including fishing, mountain biking, and hiking in the nearby national forests. A former coal mining town, Big Stone Gap has a quaint main street with restaurants and shops. If it appeals to you, you might get started with the mortgage preapproval process so that you’ll be well-positioned when you find a house you like.

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Bluefield is a small town located on the border of West Virginia. It’s known as “Virginia’s Tallest Town,” and claims to be the highest town east of Denver, Colorado. It’s a quiet place — there aren’t a lot of restaurants or stores here. However, Bluefield is affordable and offers the benefits of small-town living, such as knowing your neighbors. And when you need your city fix, Roanoke is less than two hours away.

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If you’re a baseball fan, Pulaski could be the home run you’ve been looking for. Historic Calfee Park, the ninth oldest professional in-use Minor League Baseball park in the U.S., is now home to the Pulaski River Turtles, a summer collegiate baseball league. When you’re not at a game, you can hike or fish in one of the many nearby state parks.

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Culpeper is located just 70 miles from Washington, D.C., but it feels like a world away. The town has a long history, and in fact, it changed hands 78 times during the American Civil War. Today, Culpeper offers families a walkable downtown with shops and restaurants and plenty of outdoor spaces and parks for kids to run around. Residents also appreciate the area’s good schools. If you think Culpeper is right for you, you might look into first-time homebuyer programs in Virginia to help make a down payment more affordable.

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This medium-sized city offers families plenty to do, including cultural events, museums, sports, and restaurants. It’s in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, which means residents are surrounded by mountains, and there are miles of trails for walking, biking, and hiking. James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, which gives parents access to college students for babysitters and tutors.

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The most populous city in the state, Virginia Beach offers good schools, plenty of job opportunities, and endless entertainment to keep your kids — and you! — busy. There’s the beach, the boardwalk, state parks, museums, and an aquarium. Your family can hike, bike, kayak, and even paddleboard for fun. Ready to make a move? Check out a home loan help center to understand your mortgage options.

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Virginia Beach has a lot to offer young adults. The beach is a large draw, and the area also has good employment opportunities, a vibrant nightlife, lots of restaurants and shops, plus concerts and other activities. The cost of living in Virginia in this town is a bit below the national average, meaning it could be an affordable option.

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With nearly 100,000 residents, Roanoke is a medium-sized city in the southwestern part of the state. It’s in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so there are plenty of outdoor activities for young adults, like hiking, biking, and camping. There is also a large local brewery scene in Roanoke, along with plenty of restaurants and bars, so young adults can enjoy an active social life here. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may find programs to assist you with purchasing in Roanoke.

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A vibrant college town (Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond are both located here) Virginia’s capital draws many young adults. There are plentiful employment opportunities, along with trendy restaurants and bars, shops, museums, and festivals. Whitewater rapids run through downtown Richmond, and it’s the only city in the country that can claim this distinction.

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On the border of North Carolina, Danville, with its rolling countryside and a river that runs through it, has the qualities of a small town and the amenities of a city. Cultural attractions include a fine arts museum, a theater company, and a symphony orchestra. Many retirees live here because of the relaxed and affordable lifestyle.

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Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, retirees can live an active life here, with hiking, boating, and biking. There are also museums and other cultural attractions for them to enjoy in town. For those times they want to go to the city, Roanoke is about 50 miles away.

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Retirees who choose to live in Staunton can enjoy all that Charlottesville has to offer (The city is just 40 minutes away) without paying Charlottesville prices. Staunton itself is known for being friendly. The town has museums, parks, shops, and restaurants, so there’s plenty to do close to home. Retirees on a fixed income may want to explore the different types of mortgage loans to learn their options.

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Hampton has 26 miles of shoreline along the coast of the Chesapeake, including four public beaches. The waterfront city also has historic attractions, museums, restaurants, and shops. It’s conveniently located near a number of other cities, including Newport News.

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Located where the Chesapeake meets the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is a fun, family-friendly beach city, with three miles of boardwalk. The city is filled with restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and an aquarium.

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Norfolk has over seven miles of public beaches along the Chesapeake Bay. The city has a rich history and is home to the largest naval base in the world. Because of this, you’ll see plenty of naval ships and commercial vessels near the port.