Studio Apartment Rent in Charlottesville, VA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Charlottesville, Virginia as of August 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $1,992 and +15% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Charlottesville
Compare Charlottesville'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 | $780 |
| 4 | Lexington | $830 |
| 5 | Farmville | $850 |
| 6 | Madison Heights | $880 |
| 7 | Roanoke | $883 |
| 8 | Christiansburg | $900 |
| 9 | Radford | $900 |
| 10 | Salem | $960 |
| 11 | Front Royal | $970 |
| 12 | Blacksburg | $990 |
| 13 | Waynesboro | $1,060 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,100 |
| 15 | Harrisonburg | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,020 |
| 2 | Fort Hunt | $3,020 |
| 3 | Haymarket | $2,780 |
| 4 | Aldie | $2,720 |
| 5 | Gainesville | $2,670 |
| 6 | Burke | $2,560 |
| 7 | Vienna | $2,547 |
| 8 | Springfield | $2,490 |
| 9 | Chantilly | $2,440 |
| 10 | Arlington | $2,433 |
| 11 | Lorton | $2,430 |
| 12 | Oakton | $2,350 |
| 13 | Fairfax | $2,350 |
| 14 | Ashburn | $2,350 |
| 15 | Sterling | $2,257 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Charlottesville.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Charlottesville |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmyra, VA | 19.2 mi | $1,600 | +$112 (+8%) |
| Waynesboro, VA | 25.4 mi | $1,060 | $-428 (-29%) |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 37.9 mi | $1,120 | $-368 (-25%) |
| Staunton, VA | 39.7 mi | $1,120 | $-368 (-25%) |
| Culpeper, VA | 46 mi | $1,130 | $-358 (-24%) |
| Farmville, VA | 49.1 mi | $850 | $-638 (-43%) |
| Madison Heights, VA | 55.4 mi | $880 | $-608 (-41%) |
| Lynchburg, VA | 62.7 mi | $1,100 | $-388 (-26%) |
| Warrenton, VA | 65.4 mi | $1,590 | +$102 (+7%) |
| Front Royal, VA | 66.8 mi | $970 | $-518 (-35%) |
| Midlothian, VA | 69.7 mi | $1,780 | +$292 (+20%) |
| Glen Allen, VA | 70.7 mi | $1,830 | +$342 (+23%) |
Studio rent in Charlottesville — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Charlottesville?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Charlottesville, Virginia is $1,488 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $1,992.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Charlottesville?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,520 ($4,960/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charlottesville expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Charlottesville's studio median of $1,488 is +15% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 64th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charlottesville rank for studio rent in Virginia?
Among the 80 cities in Virginia with studio data, Charlottesville ranks #32 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Charlottesville?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Waynesboro ($1,060), Harrisonburg ($1,120), Staunton ($1,120).