The short answer
Your biggest Richmond money decision is which side of a county line you buy on. Real estate tax for 2026 is $1.20 per $100 in the City of Richmond, $0.83 in Henrico, $0.89 in Chesterfield, $0.81 in Hanover, and $0.53 in Goochland. Car tax comes on top, and all five prorate it by month.
The costly mistake is falling for a house before you check which locality's tax bill comes with it.
Real estate tax: the line that matters most
Every locality taxes your home's assessed value at its own rate, per $100. The City of Richmond is its own government, separate from the counties around it. So two houses a mile apart can carry very different tax bills.
| Locality | Rate per $100 | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Richmond | $1.20 | $5,400 | $450 |
| Henrico County | $0.83 | $3,735 | $311.25 |
| Chesterfield County | $0.89 | $4,005 | $333.75 |
| Hanover County | $0.81 | $3,645 | $303.75 |
| Goochland County | $0.53 | $2,385 | $198.75 |
Rates: each locality's 2026 rate page. Dollar columns are our arithmetic on a $450,000 assessment, which matches the metro's September 2026 median single-family sale price of $450,000 (CVR MLS). Your assessment can differ from your price. Inside the Town of Ashland, Hanover adds $0.10.
Car tax: yes, Virginia taxes your car every year
Each locality bills a personal property tax on your car's value. The state then pays part of the bill on the first $20,000 of value for personal-use cars. That share is called relief, and each locality sets its own percentage each year.
| Locality | Rate per $100 | Relief | Report within |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Richmond | $3.70 | 22% (2024) | 60 days |
| Henrico County | $3.35 | 42% (2025) | Code schedule |
| Chesterfield County | $3.25 | 40% (2026) | 30 days |
| Hanover County | $3.57 | Not published | 60 days |
| Goochland County | $2.99 (qualifying cars) | 32% (2025) | 30 days |
Sources: each locality's personal property tax page, opened 2026-11-07. Relief is the share the state pays on the first $20,000 of value; 2024 is the latest year the City of Richmond lists, and Hanover does not publish a percentage. Henrico's schedule (County Code §20-109): by March 15, or the 15th of the month after the car arrives. Inside the Town of Ashland, Hanover adds $0.70.
Move-in cost calculator
Your yearly tax bill and DMV costs, before you pick a county.
- Real estate tax
- $3,735 / yr
- $311.25 a month at $0.83 per $100
- Car tax, before relief
- $838 / yr
- State relief lowers this. Henrico County's latest published share is 42% on the first $20,000 of a personal-use car (2025). Check the current rate
- One-time DMV costs
- $77.75
- Title $15.00 and registration from $30.75 per car, license $32.00 per driver, no titling tax.
Rates verified 2026-11-07. Assessed value can differ from your price. Car tax is shown before state relief because relief percentages change every year. Registration assumes cars of 4,000 lb or less.
State income tax
Virginia taxes income in four brackets: 2% on the first $3,000, then 3%, then 5%, then 5.75% over $17,000. Because the top bracket starts so low, most of a typical salary is taxed at 5.75%. The standard deduction for 2026 is $8,750 single or $17,500 married filing jointly, plus $930 per person.
Sales tax
Sales tax is 6.0% in all five localities today. Groceries are taxed at 1.0%.
In November 2026, City of Richmond voters approved letting Council add up to 1% for school construction. It is not in effect. Council has to pass an ordinance first.
Utilities and trash
- City of Richmond water and sewer: the City's own example comes to $132.48 a month at 6 Ccf of use (FY2027).
- Richmond Gas Works, run by the City, charges a $18.27 monthly service charge before usage.
- City of Richmond trash: one City supercan per home, up to three extra cans at $55 each, and the trash fee is billed on your water bill.
- Chesterfield has no county curbside trash. You hire a private hauler, or take it to a county convenience center for $9 a pickup truck load.
- Hanover residents drop off household trash and recycling at six county convenience centers at no cost.
- Goochland convenience centers take household trash and recycling free for residents.
Questions people ask
What is the property tax rate in Richmond, VA?
In the City of Richmond, $1.20 per $100 of assessed value for 2026. The counties are lower: Henrico $0.83, Chesterfield $0.89, Hanover $0.81, and Goochland $0.53.
Which Richmond-area county has the lowest property tax?
Goochland, at $0.53 per $100 in 2026.
What is the car tax in Henrico County?
Henrico taxes cars at $3.35 per $100 of value. For 2025, the state relief share was 42% on the first $20,000 of a personal-use car's value.
Does Virginia prorate car tax when you move?
In all five Richmond-area localities, yes. Each one prorates vehicle tax by month, so you pay only for the months the car is here.
What is Virginia's income tax rate?
Four brackets: 2%, 3%, 5%, and 5.75% on income over $17,000. The 2026 standard deduction is $8,750 single or $17,500 married filing jointly.
Sources
- Richmond City Council · checked 2026-11-07
- Henrico County · checked 2026-11-07
- Chesterfield County · checked 2026-11-07
- Hanover County · checked 2026-11-07
- Goochland County · checked 2026-11-07
- CVR MLS · checked 2026-10-26
- Each locality's personal property tax page · checked 2026-11-07
- Virginia DMV · checked 2026-11-07
- Town of Ashland · checked 2026-11-07
- City of Richmond · checked 2026-11-07
- Henrico County · checked 2026-11-07
- Chesterfield County · checked 2026-11-07
- Chesterfield County · checked 2026-11-07
- Chesterfield County · checked 2026-11-07
- Hanover County · checked 2026-11-07
- Goochland County · checked 2026-11-07
- New Kent County · checked 2026-11-07
- Virginia Department of Taxation · checked 2026-11-07
- Virginia Department of Taxation · checked 2026-11-07
- Virginia Department of Taxation · checked 2026-11-07
- Virginia Department of Taxation · checked 2026-11-07
- The Richmonder (secondary source) · checked 2026-11-07
- City of Richmond · checked 2026-11-07
- City of Richmond · checked 2026-11-07
- Chesterfield County · checked 2026-11-07
- Hanover County · checked 2026-11-07
Photo: AI-enhanced from a photo by Arniesc1, CC BY-SA 4.0.