Moving to New River Valley from Los Angeles

For people leaving Los Angeles, Southwest Virginia is one of the better-value places to land. Housing and taxes cost a good deal less here, and you're right next to the Blue Ridge.

12.3% → 5.75%
Top income tax (CA vs VA)
0.75% → ~1%
Property tax rate
~42% lower
Cost of living vs Los Angeles
$215,000
Median home here
Calculate your Los Angeles → Virginia savings →

Taxes

CA's top income tax rate is 12.3% versus Virginia's 5.75%, and property taxes run about 0.75% there versus roughly 1% across the region. On a $215,000 home that's a meaningful annual difference.

Cost of living & housing

Overall costs run about 42% lower here than in Los Angeles. It takes only about $117,333 here to match a $200,000 lifestyle there. The $215,000 median home here would run on the order of $370,690 back in Los Angeles.

Where to live

Compare the areas and what your money buys:

AreaMedian priceTax /$100
Montgomery County (Blacksburg & Christiansburg)$352,0000.76
Pulaski County$205,0000.74
Floyd County$215,0000.66

Get the numbers for a Los Angeles-to-Virginia move →

Also exploring Southwest Virginia?

This is the New River Valley guide. Looking a little further out? See our companion guide: