What it's like to live in Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a small city in Virginia with crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, a highly educated workforce, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Williamsburg deals with home prices well above the national average, a poverty rate above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and above-average rainfall.
The good
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- High home prices
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
- Above-average rainfall
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Williamsburg compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Williamsburg
Based on Williamsburg's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,814
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $56,280 a year
- 62% of Williamsburg renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$85,620
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $42,810
- Homes cost 5.7× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,407/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,407 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices run above average, with a median around $428,100. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $428,100 · 62% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▲ 14% above US
4.9% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.9%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 49% below US
167 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 1122/100k · Williamsburg Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 25% below US
20 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.5 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 18% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 86°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 32°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
2 hospitals
There are 2 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 5.0 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 27% above US
46% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 46% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
3 public schools inside the boundary
There are 3 public schools inside the boundary and 2 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Historic Jamestowne Part of Colonial National Historical Park (5 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Williamsburg's strongest points are crime rates well below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and a poverty rate above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,407/mo) equals 22% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (18% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes.
Other places near Williamsburg
All Virginia guides →Moving to Gloucester Point →
12 mi away · pop. 11,109
Rent $1,062/mo · Income $74,001
Compare with Williamsburg →Moving to Newport News →
17 mi away · pop. 184,216
Rent $1,339/mo · Income $69,634
Compare with Williamsburg →Moving to Poquoson →
25 mi away · pop. 12,639
Rent $1,707/mo · Income $120,972
Compare with Williamsburg →Moving to Hampton →
27 mi away · pop. 137,557
Rent $1,427/mo · Income $69,621
Compare with Williamsburg →Not sure Williamsburg is the one?
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