Blacksburg, VA vs Suffolk, VA

Blacksburg, VA and Suffolk, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Blacksburg scores 105 while Suffolk scores 106 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Blacksburg is $1,290/month compared to $1,484/month in Suffolk — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Blacksburg has cheaper rent, Suffolk actually has lower median home values ($329,600 vs $417,200).

Median household income in Blacksburg is $48,070 compared to $90,089 in Suffolk (-46.6%). While Suffolk is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Blacksburg spend roughly 32.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Suffolk. The Suffolk ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.