Bowling Green is a small town of 1,538 in Virginia, with a median household income of $69,167
and a 3.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bowling Green stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether Bowling Green is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bowling Green 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: 92.1
Bowling Green's overall cost of living index is 92.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bowling Green costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bowling Green, VA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$282,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$535
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
64.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$69,167
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Bowling Green's violent crime rate is 221.3 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
221.3 /100k
Property Crime
755.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bowling Green is served primarily by Caroline County Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bowling Green, VA
National Avg
School District
Caroline County Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bowling Green sees average highs of 45.0°F in January
and 87.4°F in July,
with 44.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 11.5 inches of snow per year.
Bowling Green's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bowling Green roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $282,700 and median rent is $535/month.
Bowling Green's violent crime rate is 221.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 755.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bowling Green are operated by Caroline County Public Schools.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1. 19.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bowling Green, VA has a population of 1,538, a median household income of $69,167, and an unemployment rate of 3.9%.
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.
Bowling Green averages 45.0°F in January and 87.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.8 inches
with about 11.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bowling Green, VA is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 22427, 22580.
The population of Bowling Green, Virginia is 1,538 with a median age of 42.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bowling Green: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $282,700, median household income $69,167, crime index 49 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bowling Green side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
