3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bristol, VA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Bristol, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,399 and +33% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $1,060 |
| 2 | Danville | $1,260 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $1,324 |
| 4 | Madison Heights | $1,390 |
| 5 | Bristol (this page) | $1,420 |
| 6 | Radford | $1,550 |
| 7 | Christiansburg | $1,570 |
| 8 | Roanoke | $1,584 |
| 9 | Montrose | $1,606 |
| 10 | Front Royal | $1,710 |
| 11 | Prince George | $1,713 |
| 12 | Salem | $1,720 |
| 13 | Waynesboro | $1,720 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,735 |
| 15 | Blacksburg | $1,770 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $4,340 |
| 2 | Aldie | $3,910 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $3,840 |
| 4 | Burke | $3,680 |
| 5 | Vienna | $3,663 |
| 6 | Springfield | $3,580 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $3,510 |
| 8 | Arlington | $3,501 |
| 9 | Lorton | $3,490 |
| 10 | Oakton | $3,380 |
| 11 | Fairfax | $3,378 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $3,375 |
| 13 | Sterling | $3,243 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $3,231 |
| 15 | McLean | $3,180 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Bristol.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, TN | 6.7 mi | $1,340 | $-80 (-6%) |
| Elizabethton, TN | 16.3 mi | $1,250 | $-170 (-12%) |
| Johnson City, TN | 23.5 mi | $1,473 | +$53 (+4%) |
| Kingsport, TN | 25.2 mi | $1,323 | $-97 (-7%) |
| Jonesborough, TN | 31.8 mi | $1,590 | +$170 (+12%) |
| Boone, NC | 44.8 mi | $1,570 | +$150 (+11%) |
| Greeneville, TN | 55.1 mi | $712 | $-708 (-50%) |
| Marion, NC | 62.9 mi | $1,190 | $-230 (-16%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 64.6 mi | $1,950 | +$530 (+37%) |
| Morganton, NC | 65.3 mi | $1,950 | +$530 (+37%) |
| Swannanoa, NC | 69.7 mi | $1,950 | +$530 (+37%) |
| Black Mountain, NC | 69.9 mi | $1,950 | +$530 (+37%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Bristol — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Bristol?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Bristol, Virginia is $1,420 per month. This is +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,399.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Bristol?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,800 ($4,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bristol expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bristol's 3-bedroom median of $1,420 is +33% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 12th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bristol rank for 3-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 79 cities in Virginia with 3-bedroom data, Bristol ranks #5 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Bristol?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Bristol ($1,340), Elizabethton ($1,250), Kingsport ($1,323).