1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bristol, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bristol, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +38% lower than the citywide median of $1,399 and +38% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Bristol
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bristol
Compare Bristol's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 2 | Danville | $740 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $809 |
| 4 | Bristol (this page) | $870 |
| 5 | Madison Heights | $890 |
| 6 | Radford | $900 |
| 7 | Christiansburg | $920 |
| 8 | Roanoke | $940 |
| 9 | Front Royal | $980 |
| 10 | Salem | $1,020 |
| 11 | Blacksburg | $1,040 |
| 12 | Waynesboro | $1,070 |
| 13 | Montrose | $1,075 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,120 |
| 15 | Culpeper | $1,130 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,080 |
| 2 | Aldie | $2,780 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $2,730 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,610 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,600 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,547 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,490 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,486 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,480 |
| 10 | Fairfax | $2,403 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,400 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,395 |
| 13 | Sterling | $2,307 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,297 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,256 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Bristol.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, TN | 6.7 mi | $820 | $-50 (-6%) |
| Elizabethton, TN | 16.3 mi | $810 | $-60 (-7%) |
| Johnson City, TN | 23.5 mi | $950 | +$80 (+9%) |
| Kingsport, TN | 25.2 mi | $813 | $-57 (-7%) |
| Jonesborough, TN | 31.8 mi | $1,020 | +$150 (+17%) |
| Boone, NC | 44.8 mi | $1,020 | +$150 (+17%) |
| Greeneville, TN | 55.1 mi | $424 | $-446 (-51%) |
| Marion, NC | 62.9 mi | $840 | $-30 (-3%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 64.6 mi | $1,350 | +$480 (+55%) |
| Morganton, NC | 65.3 mi | $1,350 | +$480 (+55%) |
| Swannanoa, NC | 69.7 mi | $1,350 | +$480 (+55%) |
| Black Mountain, NC | 69.9 mi | $1,350 | +$480 (+55%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Bristol — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Bristol?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Bristol, Virginia is $870 per month. This is +38% below the citywide median of $1,399.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Bristol?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,800 ($2,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bristol expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bristol's 1-bedroom median of $870 is +38% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 10th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bristol rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Bristol ranks #4 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Bristol?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Bristol ($820), Elizabethton ($810), Kingsport ($813).