Studio Apartment Rent in Chesapeake, VA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Chesapeake, Virginia as of August 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $2,066 and +27% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chesapeake
Compare Chesapeake'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 Chesapeake.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth, VA | 7 mi | $1,328 | $-309 (-19%) |
| Norfolk, VA | 9.7 mi | $1,417 | $-220 (-13%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 14.9 mi | $1,750 | +$113 (+7%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 16.9 mi | $1,635 | $-2 (0%) |
| Hampton, VA | 20.9 mi | $1,382 | $-255 (-16%) |
| Carrollton, VA | 21.7 mi | $1,354 | $-283 (-17%) |
| Newport News, VA | 25.4 mi | $1,328 | $-309 (-19%) |
| Yorktown, VA | 30.5 mi | $1,825 | +$188 (+11%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 31.7 mi | $880 | $-757 (-46%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 48.4 mi | $1,535 | $-102 (-6%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 64.5 mi | $1,395 | $-242 (-15%) |
| Hopewell, VA | 74.1 mi | $1,240 | $-397 (-24%) |
Studio rent in Chesapeake — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Chesapeake?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Chesapeake, Virginia is $1,637 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $2,066.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Chesapeake?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $65,480 ($5,457/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chesapeake expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Chesapeake's studio median of $1,637 is +27% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 73th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chesapeake rank for studio rent in Virginia?
Among the 80 cities in Virginia with studio data, Chesapeake ranks #40 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Chesapeake?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Portsmouth ($1,328), Norfolk ($1,417), Suffolk ($1,635).