Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Colonial Beach, Virginia

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Colonial Beach costs

Waterfront affordability depends on insurance and medical miles

A 2025 town assessment using 2023 ACS data reports median gross rent of $763, median household income of $52,119, a 76.5% homeownership rate, and poverty of 26.2%.

Add taxes, insurance, flood and wind coverage, utilities, repairs, transportation, parking, prescriptions, regional care, and seasonal price changes. Compare a waterfront property with a safer-elevation home that adds daily miles.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,939 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$979
Utilities
$221
Food
$460/mo
Transportation
$1,064/mo
Healthcare
$436

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$4,118

Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,256

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$979

Very Good

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$233/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Moderate

Fair

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
22.1%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
23.3%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
38.9%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$47,347

Could Colonial Beach fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

A monthly estimate for the other household size is not available here.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

Two people
$4,256 per month

Two-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$1,083
Food
$791
Transportation
$1,575
Healthcare
$807

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Colonial Beach in everyday life

Could Colonial Beach work for you?

What may work well

  • The town assessment provides town-level housing and income benchmarks.
  • A central home may reduce some waterfront and service miles.

What to think about

  • Income and poverty figures show that low rent is not the full financial picture.
  • Insurance, flood exposure, car costs, and regional care may add materially.

Price a Colonial Beach household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep housing, taxes, insurance, flood exposure, utilities, repairs, parking, and service distance visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price local clinics, EMS, pharmacy, groceries, trolley, family, Mary Washington, and specialists from the home.

  3. Reserve for storms

    Keep room for deductibles, supplies, repairs, power, evacuation, and a ride after tidal or heavy-rain events.

Questions retirees ask

Is $763 the full cost of renting?

No. It is the median gross rent reported in the town assessment. Add utilities, insurance, transportation, care, prescriptions, and other household costs.

Why do Colonial Beach homes have different budgets?

Elevation, flood exposure, insurance, utilities, repairs, distance, parking, seasonal pressure, and access to care vary by address.

Colonial Beach affordability depends on the property, flood and insurance review, car miles, cooling, and the distance to local and regional care.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.