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Is Williamsburg, VA a Good Place to Live? Pros and Cons

Williamsburg, VA is a good place to live for many people, especially if you want a smaller community with history close by, short commutes, and easy access to the rest of Hampton Roads. The main trade-offs are home prices above the state median, tourist traffic, a job market concentrated in a few industries, and several more years of I-64 construction toward Richmond.

Below are the pros and cons, backed by Census, city, and county figures. The Other Moving Company has an office in Williamsburg, and we help households move into and around the area.

Williamsburg, VA at a Glance

Williamsburg is an independent city of about 15,900 people, and James City County, which wraps around it, is home to about 83,300 more (2025 Census estimates). York County borders the city to the east and north.

Measure City of Williamsburg James City County Virginia
Median home value $428,100 $447,200 $383,700
Median household income $75,604 $109,985 $93,170
Average commute 19.5 min 26.6 min 27.3 min
Residents 65 and older 17.5% 29.0% 18.4%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey estimates.

Pros of Living in Williamsburg

History Is Part of Everyday Life

Williamsburg was the capital of colonial Virginia from 1699 to 1780, and Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area covers 301 acres in the middle of town. Duke of Gloucester Street is closed to motor vehicles during the day, so it doubles as a place to walk, run or bike. The Colonial Parkway links the city to Jamestown and Yorktown, the other two corners of the Historic Triangle.

Residents with a qualifying ZIP code in Williamsburg, James City County or York County can buy a Good Neighbor Pass for $35 per adult and $10 per youth. It covers a year of Historic Area admission plus store and dining discounts.

Short Commutes and Easy Travel

The average commute is 19.5 minutes for city residents and 26.6 minutes in James City County, compared with 27.3 minutes statewide. Williamsburg Area Transit Authority buses run hourly, seven days a week, across the city, James City County and parts of York County. Amtrak’s Northeast Regional stops at the Williamsburg Transportation Center downtown. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is about 20 miles away, and the Richmond and Norfolk airports are each about 55 miles.

A College Town With Plenty Going On

William & Mary, founded in 1693, is the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and enrolled 9,818 students in fall 2024. The campus adds lectures, performances and college sports to a town of this size. For more ideas off campus, see our guide to things to do in Williamsburg.

Hospital Care in Town

Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center has 145 licensed beds and a 28-bed emergency department, and Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg also serves the area.

A Large Retiree Community

About 29 percent of James City County residents are 65 or older, compared with 18.4 percent statewide, and Williamsburg Landing, a retirement community, is one of the county’s 10 largest employers. If you are downsizing, our senior relocation team can help plan the move.

Cons of Living in Williamsburg

Homes Cost More Than the State Median

The median owner-occupied home is worth $428,100 in the city and $447,200 in James City County, compared with $383,700 for Virginia. For rent, utilities and a full monthly budget, see our guide to the cost of living in Williamsburg.

Tourist Traffic and Busy Seasons

The Historic Triangle draws millions of visitors a year, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the Historic Area keep summer weekends busy. Expect heavier traffic around the Historic Area and along Route 60 in peak season and during big events, including the 2026 celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary.

I-64 Construction Toward Richmond

Crews are widening 29 miles of I-64 between Bottoms Bridge in New Kent County and the Lightfoot exit near Williamsburg, adding a third lane in each direction. The James City County section is expected to finish in late 2027 and the full project by May 2029, according to RVA757 Connects. Until then, plan for work zones if you commute toward Richmond.

A Job Market Built on a Few Industries

The largest employers in James City County include Busch Entertainment, the Williamsburg-James City County school system, Walmart, the county government, Eastern State Hospital, Riverside and Anheuser-Busch, according to Virginia Works. County unemployment was 3.3 percent in September 2025. If your field is outside tourism, health care, education or retail, check the commute to Newport News, Hampton or Richmond before you sign a lease.

Higher Taxes on Dining Out and Entertainment

Sales tax in Williamsburg, James City County, and York County is 7 percent, which includes a 1 percent Historic Triangle tax added in 2018. In 2026, the city raised its meals tax to 6.5 percent and its lodging tax to 7 percent. James City County’s meals tax rises from 4 to 6 percent on January 1, 2027, alongside a new 6 percent admissions tax on theme parks and movie theaters.

City, James City County or York County?

Many homes with a Williamsburg mailing address are not in the city at all, and the line changes daily life. The city’s real estate tax rate is 62 cents per $100 of assessed value, while James City County’s is 80 cents for fiscal 2027. The city picks up trash at the curb, but James City County does not provide curbside trash collection. Homes on the York County side attend York County schools instead of Williamsburg-James City County schools.

Popular areas such as New Town, Kingsmill, and Ford’s Colony are in James City County, and so is Grove, an unincorporated community about 7 miles east of the city along U.S. Route 60. Compare specific areas in our guide to the best neighborhoods in Williamsburg, and see our moving to Williamsburg resources for utilities, the DMV and schools once you pick one.

FAQs About Living in Williamsburg, VA

1

Is Williamsburg, VA a good place to live?

For many people, yes, especially those who want a smaller community with history close by and short commutes. Whether it fits depends on your budget and your line of work, since homes cost more than the state median and the largest employers are in tourism, health care, education, and retail.

2

What are the pros and cons of living in Williamsburg, VA?

Pros include historic charm at your doorstep, short average commutes, William & Mary’s campus life, local hospital care, and a large retiree community. Cons include home prices above the state median, tourist traffic, I-64 construction toward Richmond, a job market concentrated in a few industries, and rising taxes on dining and entertainment.

3

Is Williamsburg, VA a wealthy area?

James City County’s median household income is $109,985, above Virginia’s $93,170. The city’s median is lower, at $75,604. Both figures are 2020 to 2024 Census estimates.

4

What county is Williamsburg, VA in?

None. Williamsburg is an independent city. James City County borders it to the west and south, and York County to the east and north, and many Williamsburg mailing addresses are in those counties.

Thinking About a Move to Williamsburg?

Our Williamsburg movers handle local moves across the city and James City County, and as a North American Van Lines agent, we handle long-distance moves into Williamsburg from other states. Tell us where you are moving from, the size of the home, and your target date, and we will set up an estimate in person or by video. Call (866) 482-6683 or request a quote online.