Compare states / Virginia
VA
Compare Virginia with other states
Virginia is a larger Southern state: about 8.9 million residents, the 12th-largest population, at 226 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 5.75%; its average combined sales tax of 5.77% is the 10th-lowest among the 50 states. The median home value, $416,963, ranks 18th-highest of 50.
Data: Virginia (tax.virginia.gov, dmv.virginia.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 5.75% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 5.77% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.78% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Local personal property tax on vehicles — highest in the U.S. |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $12.77. |
| Median home value | $416,963 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 5.30% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (base) | $40.75 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 44 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 8,940,572 |
| Population density | 226.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 59.1% White (non-Hispanic) 10.5% Hispanic 20.7% Black 7.1% Asian |
| Violent crime | 217.9 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Virginia
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 5.75%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Virginia
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 5.30% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Virginia
- Get a VA driver license within 60 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Virginia.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Virginia elections site.
- Nurse license: Virginia is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Virginia: September 30. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Virginia compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 5.75% in Virginia vs 13.3% in California (lower in Virginia).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Virginia are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits (VA tax agency).
- Estate tax. Virginia has no state estate tax (VA tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Virginia has no state inheritance tax (VA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Virginia $12.77.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Virginia 5.30%.
- State parks. Virginia 44. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; VA 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (VA).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Virginia 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Virginia 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled