How much does it cost to rent in Blacksburg, VA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Blacksburg, VA is $1,721. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Blacksburg cheaper than other Virginia cities?

Blacksburg is among the more affordable cities in Virginia, ranking #59 out of 83 cities at $1,721/mo.

When was Blacksburg rent data last updated?

Blacksburg rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · VA

Blacksburg

Name: Average Rent Prices in Blacksburg, VA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 45,446·59th most expensive in Virginia·Blacksburg rents have dropped 9.5%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$1,721/mo

Year-over-Year

-9.5%

Month-over-Month

-6.3%

vs US Median

-$244

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Blacksburg · $1,721

More affordable than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

78/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Blacksburg's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,721/mo

Expected by trend

$1,998/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Blacksburg's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$990

1 BR

$1,040

2 BR

$1,320

3 BR

$1,770

4 BR+

$2,220

Research median

$1,320/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$20,652/yr

At $1,721/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 9.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-9.5% YoY, -6.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Blacksburg, VA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 69.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

45,446

Median income

$50,182

Median age

21.9

Renters

64.2%

Age distribution

63.6%

13.5%

Under 189.8%

18–3463.6%

35–5413.5%

55–645.5%

65+7.6%

Gender

54.8%

45.2%

Male54.8%

Female45.2%

Race & ethnicity

76.6%

White76.6%

Black4%

Hispanic4.9%

Asian11.6%

Other2.8%

Education (25+)

12.4%

16.4%

69.2%

No HS diploma2%

HS diploma12.4%

Some college16.4%

Bachelor's+69.2%

Housing tenure

35.8%

64.2%

Owner35.8%

Renter64.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Blacksburg, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,617 → $1,721

up 6.4%

Income

$43,804 → $50,182

up 14.6%

Population

44,385 → 45,446

up 2.4%

Renter share

66.4% → 64.2%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

69% → 69.2%

+0.2 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Blacksburg, VA has shifted from $1,617 to $1,721, up 6.4% since 2023. Median household income climbed from $43,804 to $50,182 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.6% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Blacksburg, VA adding about 1,061 residents over the five-year window, up 2.4% on net. The renter share has eased from 66.4% to 64.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Taken together, the five-year picture in Blacksburg, VA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Blacksburg rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Blacksburg on your salary?

At $1,721/mo, how Blacksburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 21.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 14.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 11.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 32.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 35.7% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

By apartment size

Blacksburg rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Blacksburg. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Blacksburg

About renting in Blacksburg, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Blacksburg is $1,721/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $990/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,320/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,770/mo.

At 41% of local median household income ($50,182/yr), Blacksburg ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 9.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Blacksburg an affordable city for renters?

Blacksburg is considered stretched for renters. At $1,721/mo, rent takes approximately 41% of the local median household income ($50,182/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Blacksburg significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Blacksburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,721/mo in Blacksburg. The local median household income is $50,182/yr, meaning the typical Blacksburg household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Blacksburg?

Rent in Blacksburg has decreased 9.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Blacksburg rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Blacksburg is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #59 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,721/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Blacksburg?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Blacksburg ($1,721/mo): Princeton ($788/mo), Roanoke ($1,394/mo), Radford ($1,503/mo).

What percentage of Blacksburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 64.2% of Blacksburg households are renters, while 35.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Blacksburg has a strong rental market.

How does Blacksburg rent compare to the national average?

Blacksburg's median rent of $1,721/mo is $244 (12%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #59 out of 83 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

41%

STRETCHED

At $1,721/mo, rent takes ~41% of Blacksburg's median household income ($50,182/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Blacksburg 41%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Blacksburg affordability calculator →

Nearby cities