Current guide
New River Valley
Where Virginia Tech, the New River, and the Blue Ridge all meet, with some of the lowest tax rates in the region.
Montgomery CountyRadfordPulaski CountyGiles CountyFloyd County
New River Valley Local Living Guide
New to New River Valley, or still weighing it? Start here. What each town is actually like, what homes really cost, and what's going on this week.
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The towns
They're not interchangeable. Open any one for what you'd pay, how the schools rate, and what it's like to live there day to day.
Montgomery County
Virginia Tech sits here, which keeps the job market and the public schools strong. Blacksburg and Christiansburg have most of the restaurants and the college-town feel.
Radford
A small college town on a bend of the New River. Tax rates are among the lowest in the valley, and some houses sit right on the water.
Pulaski County
The cheapest place to buy in the NRV. Most people settle in the towns of Pulaski or Dublin, and Claytor Lake is the big draw.
Giles County
The New River runs straight through Giles County. Pearisburg and Narrows anchor a rural, lower-tax county with Appalachian Trail access and mountain-town pace.
Floyd County
Rural Blue Ridge country with the lowest tax rate around. Floyd has a real arts and music scene for its size, plenty of room for acreage, and the Parkway close by.
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Local guideRestaurants, coffee, groceries, and parks, sorted by townJobs & hiring184 open roles at NRV-area employers right nowCompare the townsEvery town's prices, taxes, and school ratings on one mapSide-by-side comparePick two or three areas and compare price, taxes, schools, and daily-life fitWhat's nearby?Type an address; see what's close, ranked by distanceLearn the areaSchools, healthcare, climate, commute, and moving checklists in one guide libraryMoving guideRun the cost calculator and compare local tradeoffs
Comparing costs in New River Valley? Compare the cost picture side by side with where you live now.
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This page is focused on New River Valley. Use the region split below to keep nearby towns, commute patterns, and local data straight.
Companion guide
Roanoke Metro
A walkable small city with a Level I trauma center and miles of mountain greenway, for a lot less than the coast costs.
Roanoke CountyRoanoke CitySalem
Open Roanoke guide