1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Charlottesville, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlottesville, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $2,021 and +13% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Charlottesville
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 Charlottesville
Compare Charlottesville'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 | Farmville | $850 |
| 5 | Bristol | $870 |
| 6 | Lexington | $870 |
| 7 | Madison Heights | $890 |
| 8 | Radford | $900 |
| 9 | Christiansburg | $920 |
| 10 | Roanoke | $940 |
| 11 | Front Royal | $980 |
| 12 | Salem | $1,020 |
| 13 | Blacksburg | $1,040 |
| 14 | East Highland Park | $1,051 |
| 15 | Waynesboro | $1,070 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,080 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $2,840 |
| 3 | Aldie | $2,780 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $2,730 |
| 5 | Burke | $2,610 |
| 6 | Vienna | $2,600 |
| 7 | Springfield | $2,547 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $2,490 |
| 9 | Arlington | $2,486 |
| 10 | Lorton | $2,480 |
| 11 | Fairfax | $2,403 |
| 12 | Oakton | $2,400 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $2,395 |
| 14 | Sterling | $2,307 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $2,297 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Charlottesville.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Charlottesville |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmyra, VA | 19.2 mi | $1,690 | +$117 (+7%) |
| Waynesboro, VA | 25.4 mi | $1,070 | $-503 (-32%) |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 37.9 mi | $1,130 | $-443 (-28%) |
| Staunton, VA | 39.7 mi | $1,130 | $-443 (-28%) |
| Culpeper, VA | 46 mi | $1,130 | $-443 (-28%) |
| Farmville, VA | 49.1 mi | $850 | $-723 (-46%) |
| Madison Heights, VA | 55.4 mi | $890 | $-683 (-43%) |
| Lynchburg, VA | 62.7 mi | $1,120 | $-453 (-29%) |
| Warrenton, VA | 65.4 mi | $1,630 | +$57 (+4%) |
| Front Royal, VA | 66.8 mi | $980 | $-593 (-38%) |
| Midlothian, VA | 69.7 mi | $1,850 | +$277 (+18%) |
| Glen Allen, VA | 70.7 mi | $1,905 | +$332 (+21%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Charlottesville — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlottesville?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Charlottesville, Virginia is $1,573 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $2,021.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Charlottesville?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,920 ($5,243/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.25/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charlottesville expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Charlottesville's 1-bedroom median of $1,573 is +13% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 62th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charlottesville rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 81 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Charlottesville ranks #34 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Charlottesville?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Waynesboro ($1,070), Harrisonburg ($1,130), Staunton ($1,130).