Hillsville, VA vs Lake of the Woods, VA

The cost of living difference between Hillsville, VA and Lake of the Woods, VA is dramatic. Hillsville is 44.6% cheaper than Lake of the Woods, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hillsville has a cost index of 67 while Lake of the Woods sits at 121, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hillsville is $691/month compared to $1,690/month in Lake of the Woods — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hillsville is more affordable at $132,600 median vs $377,500.

Median household income in Hillsville is $62,861 compared to $112,917 in Lake of the Woods (-44.3%). The higher salaries in Lake of the Woods partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillsville spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18% in Lake of the Woods.