Brightwood, VA Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Amazon Prime Day 2026

Exclusive Deals for Your New Home

🛒 Shop Prime Day Deals Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Brightwood, VA Utility & Living Guide

Living in Brightwood, VA offers a tranquil and scenic experience with easy access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$290/mo
1BR Rent$1100/mo
Sales Tax5.3%
COL Index105 (+5% above national average)
Family Score7/10
Median Home$280,000
🌤️ Live Weather — Brightwood
Loading weather...
📷 Live Cameras — Brightwood
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Brightwood
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Brightwood?

Moving to Brightwood? 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

$140/mo

Dominion Energy
🔥 Gas

N/A - Electric only
💧 Water

$50/mo

Town of Brightwood Water Department
🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Waste Management
📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead $290/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1100/mo
2 Bedrooms$1400/mo
3 Bedrooms$2000/mo
Median Home Price$280,000
Property Tax Rate1.1%
Avg Childcare/mo$900

The housing market in Brightwood is relatively stable, with a mix of older and newer homes available. Rentals are scarce, and prices have been increasing steadily over the past few years. Homeowners can expect to pay around 1.1% of their home’s value in property taxes annually.

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 Rate1.1%
<p>State 4.3% + Local 1%</p>

Virginia has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 2% to 5.75%. Residents of Brightwood are subject to these state income tax rates.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
7/10
Safety Index

60

Higher = safer
School Rating

7/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$900/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Purple description
Business Momentum
Moderate, with key industries in healthcare, education, and manufacturing
Top Local Concerns
Traffic, public safety, environmental protection
🚌 Transit for Families

The public transit system in Brightwood is limited, but the town's compact size and walkable neighborhoods make it relatively easy to get around without a car.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Mill Mountain Zoo
  • 🎯
    Roanoke Pinball Museum
  • 🎯
    Salem Red Sox Baseball

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The neighborhoods of Brightwood are generally quiet and family-friendly, with tree-lined streets and plenty of outdoor spaces. The area around the town center is particularly popular, with its mix of old and new homes and easy access to local amenities.

Household Budget Calculator

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

Local Briefing & Neighborhood Pulse

Live Local News

The Town of Brightwood has regulations in place regarding zoning, building permits, and environmental protection.

The current financial trends in Brightwood indicate a growing demand for housing and a strong job market, driven by the nearby cities of Roanoke and Salem. However, the town's small size and limited amenities may pose challenges for some residents.

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.

📊 Brightwood — Census & Demographic Data

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

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Brightwood tend to fluctuate with the seasons, with higher electricity bills in the summer due to air conditioning and higher gas bills in the winter due to heating. However, since most homes in Brightwood are electric-only, the winter utility bills are relatively low.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The ZIP code 24146 has a property tax millage rate of 0.85, with no local surtaxes.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

Score 8/10: Brightwood has well-maintained sidewalks and plenty of parks and outdoor spaces, making it easy to get around with a stroller. However, the town's limited public transit system and lack of elevator access in some buildings may pose challenges for families with young children.

🏠 Planning Your Move?

Shop moving supplies, storage solutions and home essentials

🛒 Shop on Amazon — Prime Day Deals

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.