Studio Apartment Rent in Bristol, VA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Bristol, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +44% lower than the citywide median of $1,399 and +40% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bristol
Compare Bristol's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danville | $630 |
| 2 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 3 | Bristol (this page) | $780 |
| 4 | Madison Heights | $880 |
| 5 | Roanoke | $883 |
| 6 | Christiansburg | $900 |
| 7 | Radford | $900 |
| 8 | Salem | $960 |
| 9 | Front Royal | $970 |
| 10 | Blacksburg | $990 |
| 11 | Waynesboro | $1,060 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | $1,100 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg | $1,120 |
| 14 | Staunton | $1,120 |
| 15 | Culpeper | $1,130 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,020 |
| 2 | Aldie | $2,720 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $2,670 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,560 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,547 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,490 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,440 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,433 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,430 |
| 10 | Oakton | $2,350 |
| 11 | Fairfax | $2,350 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,350 |
| 13 | Sterling | $2,257 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,249 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,213 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Bristol.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, TN | 6.7 mi | $740 | $-40 (-5%) |
| Elizabethton, TN | 16.3 mi | $800 | +$20 (+3%) |
| Johnson City, TN | 23.5 mi | $940 | +$160 (+21%) |
| Kingsport, TN | 25.2 mi | $737 | $-43 (-6%) |
| Jonesborough, TN | 31.8 mi | $1,020 | +$240 (+31%) |
| Boone, NC | 44.8 mi | $880 | +$100 (+13%) |
| Greeneville, TN | 55.1 mi | $414 | $-366 (-47%) |
| Marion, NC | 62.9 mi | $790 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 64.6 mi | $1,290 | +$510 (+65%) |
| Morganton, NC | 65.3 mi | $1,290 | +$510 (+65%) |
| Swannanoa, NC | 69.7 mi | $1,290 | +$510 (+65%) |
| Black Mountain, NC | 69.9 mi | $1,290 | +$510 (+65%) |
Studio rent in Bristol — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Bristol?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Bristol, Virginia is $780 per month. This is +44% below the citywide median of $1,399.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Bristol?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $31,200 ($2,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bristol expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Bristol's studio median of $780 is +40% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 8th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bristol rank for studio rent in Virginia?
Among the 76 cities in Virginia with studio data, Bristol ranks #3 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Bristol?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Bristol ($740), Kingsport ($737), Greeneville ($414).