1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chester, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chester, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +4% lower than the citywide median of $1,829 and +26% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chester
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 Chester
Compare Chester'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 Chester.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Heights, VA | 3.8 mi | $1,410 | $-345 (-20%) |
| Bellwood, VA | 5.1 mi | $809 | $-946 (-54%) |
| Chesterfield, VA | 9.1 mi | $1,770 | +$15 (+1%) |
| Petersburg, VA | 12.4 mi | $1,300 | $-455 (-26%) |
| Montrose, VA | 12.4 mi | $1,075 | $-680 (-39%) |
| Richmond, VA | 14.1 mi | $1,639 | $-116 (-7%) |
| Highland Springs, VA | 15.8 mi | $1,440 | $-315 (-18%) |
| Henrico, VA | 17.1 mi | $1,584 | $-171 (-10%) |
| Lakeside, VA | 20.4 mi | $1,640 | $-115 (-7%) |
| Midlothian, VA | 20.9 mi | $1,850 | +$95 (+5%) |
| Mechanicsville, VA | 21.9 mi | $1,810 | +$55 (+3%) |
| Glen Allen, VA | 25.4 mi | $1,905 | +$150 (+9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chester — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chester?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chester, Virginia is $1,755 per month. This is +4% below the citywide median of $1,829.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chester?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $70,200 ($5,850/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chester expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chester's 1-bedroom median of $1,755 is +26% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 72th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chester rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Chester ranks #42 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chester?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Colonial Heights ($1,410), Bellwood ($809), Petersburg ($1,300).