Bridgewater, VA Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Bridgewater, VA Utility & Living Guide

Utilities, housing, taxes, cost of living, and local insights — everything residents and families need.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$250/mo
1BR Rent$1100/mo
Sales Tax5.3%
COL Index105 (+5% above national average)
Family Score7/10
Median Home$280,000
📷 Live Cameras — Bridgewater
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
🌤️ Live Weather — Bridgewater
Loading weather...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Bridgewater
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Bridgewater?

Moving to Bridgewater? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$130/mo

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
🔥 Gas

N/A - Electric only
💧 Water

$40/mo

Town of Bridgewater Water Department
🗑️ Garbage

$20/mo

Town of Bridgewater Public Works
📶 Internet

$60/mo

Combined Average Overhead$250/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1100/mo
2 Bedrooms$1400/mo
3 Bedrooms$2000/mo
Median Home Price$280,000
Property Tax Rate0.85%
Avg Childcare/mo$900

The housing market in Bridgewater is relatively affordable, with a mix of older and newer homes available. Rentals are also available, but may be limited. The town has seen some new development in recent years, including new subdivisions and renovations of older homes.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

98

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$900

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax5.3%
Property Tax Rate0.85%
<p>State 4.3% + Local 1%</p>

Virginia has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 2% to 5.75%

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
7/10
Safety Index

55

Higher = safer
School Rating

7.2/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$900/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Purple description, with a mix of conservative and liberal views
Business Momentum
Moderate, with key industries including agriculture, tourism, and small manufacturing
Top Local Concerns
Traffic, affordable housing, environmental conservation
🚌 Transit for Families

The town has a limited public transportation system, but is relatively walkable and bikeable, with some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Bridgewater College
  • 🎯
    Lake Shenandoah
  • 🎯
    Harrisonburg Children's Museum

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods offer a charming small-town feel, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and outdoor recreation. The town also has a number of family-friendly neighborhoods with newer homes and good schools.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Bridgewater based on your household profile.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Bridgewater — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Bridgewater tend to be higher in the summer months due to air conditioning usage, with average electric bills increasing by 20-30% from June to August. In the winter, heating costs are relatively low due to the town's mild climate, with average electric bills decreasing by 10-20% from December to February.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The town of Bridgewater has a property tax rate of 0.85%, with no local surtaxes. The surrounding Rockingham County has a property tax rate of 0.63%, with a 0.05% surtax for schools.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

6/10, with good sidewalk quality and park access, but limited elevator access in transit and some areas with rough or uneven sidewalks

📰 Latest VA Stories
Virginia Living Report — July 27, 2026

Virginia Living Report — July 27, 2026

With a population of roughly 8.6 million residents, Virginia stands as a state of stark contrasts: where the...

Read more →
Virginia Living Report — July 26, 2026

Virginia Living Report — July 26, 2026

With a population of over 8.6 million and a median age of 38.7, Virginia occupies a unique middle...

Read more →
Virginia Living Report — July 25, 2026

Virginia Living Report — July 25, 2026

Virginia has steadily grown into one of the most sought-after destinations in the Mid-Atlantic, drawing a mix of...

Read more →
Virginia Living Report — July 24, 2026

Virginia Living Report — July 24, 2026

Finding the right place to call home is an exercise in balancing lifestyle with logistics. For those considering...

Read more →
Amazon

Get your home essentials, storage, and moving supplies delivered.

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.