Big Stone Gap is a small town of 5,221 in Virginia, with a median household income of $52,663
and a 11.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Big Stone Gap stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Big Stone Gap is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Big Stone Gap city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.3
Big Stone Gap's overall cost of living index is 92.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Big Stone Gap costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Big Stone Gap, VA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$163,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$777
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
49.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$52,663
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Big Stone Gap's violent crime rate is 118.3 per 100,000 residents
— 69% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
118.3 /100k
Property Crime
1557.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Big Stone Gap is served primarily by Wise County Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Big Stone Gap, VA
National Avg
School District
Wise County Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Big Stone Gap sees average highs of 43.9°F in January
and 83.8°F in July,
with 56.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.2 inches of snow per year.
Big Stone Gap's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Big Stone Gap roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $163,000 and median rent is $777/month.
Big Stone Gap's violent crime rate is 118.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1557.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Big Stone Gap are operated by Wise County Public Schools.
The district has 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1. 19.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Big Stone Gap, VA has a population of 5,221, a median household income of $52,663, and an unemployment rate of 11.7%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Big Stone Gap averages 43.9°F in January and 83.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 56.0 inches
with about 9.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Big Stone Gap, VA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 24219.
The population of Big Stone Gap, Virginia is 5,221 with a median age of 38.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Big Stone Gap: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $163,000, median household income $52,663, crime index 48 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Big Stone Gap side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
