How much does it cost to live in Virginia?
Home to 8.509 Million citizens, Virginia has the 12th highest overall cost of living when compared to all other states. According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data, goods and services in the state cost 2% more than they do on a national level.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
On average, Virginia renters pay $1,202 per month, $179 less than the national average of $1,023. If you want to buy a house in the state, the typical home value is worth $264,900, and the national median home value of $408,800.
Here are some stats on Virginia Mortgages:
- Homeownership rate: 68.2%
- Homeowner vacancy rate: 0.9%
- Rental vacancy rate: 6.6%
Childcare
In Virginia, the average annual cost of infant care in Virginia is $14,063—that’s $1,172 per month. Child care for a 4-year-old costs $10,867, or $906 each month. The state is ranked 10th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia for most expensive infant care.
Here’s a look at the annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: 14,063
- 4-year-old: $10,867
- School: 12,8372
- College: $12,579
Utilities
Apartment utilities refer to the essential services required in a home such as gas, water, electricity, cable, and internet. A Virginia resident can expect to spend up to $377 per month on apartment utilities on average.
Food & Groceries
A single adult in Virginia spends an average of $3,374 on food each year, while a family of four's annual food cost reaches $9,744 These figures are based on a nutritionally appropriate diet purchased from a grocery shop and prepared at home.
The average price for eating out would be:
- A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant $15.7
- Fast food combo (big mac etc.) $8.68
- Bottle of Coca-Cola $2.1
- Bottle of water $1.22
Grocery shopping in the state would cost as follows:
- Milk (regular), (1 liter) $0.87
- Loaf of fresh white bread (500g) $2.86
- Rice (1 Kg) $3.74
- Eggs (regular) (12) $2.57
- Chicken fillet (1kg) $10.6
- 4 Rolls of toilet paper $3.74
- Hair shampoo $4.92
Transportation
86.4% of commuters in Virginia drive to work, compared to 85.5% nationally. The average motorist in the state drives 10,072 miles per year. Taking into account average fuel economy and average gas prices, the average Virginia motorist can expect to spend $877 on gas alone in a year.
Other transportation expenditures, such as car insurance, also vary by state. According to Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance rate in Virginia is $1,320, which is less than the national average of $1,517. According to EPI data, the average single adult in the state spends $9,689 on transportation each year.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Virginia is $67,967 and the state has a graduated income tax with rates ranging from 5.75%.
Most expensive Virginia cities to live in
- Great Falls
- McLean
- Oakton
- Warrenton
- Arlington
Why is disability insurance important to have in Virginia?
As shown by the above cost of living breakdown, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. But sometimes you find yourself unable to work due to some sort of emergency, illness or accident. Whether you are a full-time employee or a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability and peace of mind.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that medical issues caused 62.1% of bankruptcies. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, which could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Virginia are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, the foreclosure rate in the state reaches one in every 5,836 homes.4
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not a top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by severe accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury?
That said, getting private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable but your income shouldn’t be.
Does Virginia have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Virginia is not among these states.
Once Social Security has reviewed your disability application for basic eligibility criteria, it is forwarded to Virginia's Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency. DDS claims examiners look at medical evidence in your case to see if you fulfill Social Security's disability criteria. DDS is a division of the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, with locations in Fairfax, Richmond, Roanoke, and Norfolk.
Adults receiving SSI in Virginia may be eligible for an extra payment known as a "auxiliary grant." Auxiliary funds are intended to assist with the cost of long-term care. The auxiliary grant program is managed by Virginia's Department of Social Services (DSS). Virginia supplements SSI payments for adults who live in assisted living facilities or adult foster homes and get SSI (or would receive SSI but for extra income).
What qualifies as disability in Virginia?
If you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double-check the criteria in the agreement that qualifies you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Virginia?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the easiest option in Mississippi. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times, so you can go from applicant to insured in no time.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Virginia?
Most insurances are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer 2 types of disability income insurance: Permanent Disability Income Insurance and Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Virginia cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Long-Term Disability Income Insurance: starting at is $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Virginia will cost you $3,563 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
Asteya’s policy is a no brainer, seeing that it is 100% digital .We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers. We'll just ask you a few questions to determine your best policy.
You’ll be all set once your policy is in place! You'll pay your premiums quarterly, monthly, or annually for the duration of your policy.
If the unexpected happens and you need to file a claim, our team will be there to assist you in receiving the funds you require as soon as possible. When your claim is approved, you'll receive a payout that you can put toward whatever you need, such as bills, groceries, or medical expenditures.