1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chesapeake, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chesapeake, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $2,063 and +18% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chesapeake
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 Chesapeake
Compare Chesapeake'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 | $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 Chesapeake.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth, VA | 7 mi | $1,336 | $-311 (-19%) |
| Norfolk, VA | 9.7 mi | $1,425 | $-222 (-13%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 14.9 mi | $1,760 | +$113 (+7%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 16.9 mi | $1,645 | $-2 (0%) |
| Hampton, VA | 20.9 mi | $1,390 | $-257 (-16%) |
| Carrollton, VA | 21.7 mi | $1,830 | +$183 (+11%) |
| Newport News, VA | 25.4 mi | $1,337 | $-310 (-19%) |
| Yorktown, VA | 30.5 mi | $1,840 | +$193 (+12%) |
| Smithfield, VA | 30.6 mi | $1,340 | $-307 (-19%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 31.7 mi | $880 | $-767 (-47%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 48.4 mi | $1,535 | $-112 (-7%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 64.5 mi | $1,842 | +$195 (+12%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chesapeake — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chesapeake?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chesapeake, Virginia is $1,647 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $2,063.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chesapeake?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $65,880 ($5,490/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.67/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chesapeake expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chesapeake's 1-bedroom median of $1,647 is +18% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 67th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chesapeake rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Chesapeake ranks #37 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chesapeake?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Portsmouth ($1,336), Norfolk ($1,425), Suffolk ($1,645).