Below Average CostVery SafeBotetourt County Public Schools
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Buchanan is a small town of 1,108 in Virginia, with a median household income of $54,167
and a 8.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Buchanan stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Buchanan is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Buchanan 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: 90.9
Buchanan's overall cost of living index is 90.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Buchanan costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Buchanan, VA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$184,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$860
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
76.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$54,167
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Buchanan's violent crime rate is 119.7 per 100,000 residents
— 68% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
119.7 /100k
Property Crime
613.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Buchanan is served primarily by Botetourt County Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Buchanan, VA
National Avg
School District
Botetourt County Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
7
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
27.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Buchanan sees average highs of 44.1°F in January
and 86.5°F in July,
with 43.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 11.4 inches of snow per year.
Buchanan's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Buchanan roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $184,900 and median rent is $860/month.
Buchanan's violent crime rate is 119.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 613.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Buchanan are operated by Botetourt County Public Schools.
The district has 7 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1. 27.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Buchanan, VA has a population of 1,108, a median household income of $54,167, and an unemployment rate of 8.1%.
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.
Buchanan averages 44.1°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 43.6 inches
with about 11.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Buchanan, VA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 24066.
The population of Buchanan, Virginia is 1,108 with a median age of 47.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Buchanan: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $184,900, median household income $54,167, crime index 31 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Buchanan side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
