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City Report · VA

Christiansburg

Pop. 22,720·68th most expensive in Virginia·Christiansburg rents have dropped 7.2%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,589/mo
Year-over-Year
-7.2%
Month-over-Month
-6.1%
vs US Median
-$373
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Christiansburg · $1,589
More affordable than 70% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
77/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 13% below what Christiansburg's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,589/mo
Expected by trend
$1,834/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Christiansburg's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$900
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,170
3 BR
$1,570
4 BR+
$1,960
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,589 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$19,068/yr
At $1,589/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 7.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-7.2% YoY, -6.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Christiansburg, VA is majority owner-occupied, 44.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,720
Median income
$77,147
Median age
39.2
Renters
40.2%
Age distribution
18.5%
24.5%
26.8%
19.2%
Under 1818.5%
18–3424.5%
35–5426.8%
55–6411%
65+19.2%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
82.9%
White82.9%
Black5.9%
Hispanic4.2%
Asian3.7%
Other3.3%
Education (25+)
24.5%
25.6%
44.7%
No HS diploma5.2%
HS diploma24.5%
Some college25.6%
Bachelor's+44.7%
Housing tenure
59.8%
40.2%
Owner59.8%
Renter40.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Christiansburg, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,523 → $1,589
up 4.3%
Income
$63,934 → $77,147
up 20.7%
Population
23,174 → 22,720
down 2.0%
Renter share
39.9% → 40.2%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
42% → 44.7%
+2.7 pts
Median age
37.9 → 39.2
+1.3 yrs

Rent in Christiansburg, VA has climbed 4.3% since 2022, going from about $1,523 per month to roughly $1,589 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Christiansburg, VA now reports about $77,147, up from $63,934 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 16.4 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 23,174 to 22,720 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 42% to 44.7%. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Christiansburg, VA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Christiansburg rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Christiansburg on your salary?

At $1,589/mo, how Christiansburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Christiansburg rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Christiansburg. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Christiansburg

About renting in Christiansburg, VA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Christiansburg is $1,589/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,570/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($77,147/yr), Christiansburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Christiansburg an affordable city for renters?

Christiansburg is considered affordable for renters. At $1,589/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($77,147/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Christiansburg falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Christiansburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,589/mo in Christiansburg. The local median household income is $77,147/yr, meaning the typical Christiansburg household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Christiansburg?

Rent in Christiansburg has decreased 7.2% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Christiansburg rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Christiansburg is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #68 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,589/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Christiansburg?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Christiansburg ($1,589/mo): Princeton ($795/mo), Roanoke ($1,401/mo), Radford ($1,467/mo).

What percentage of Christiansburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.2% of Christiansburg households are renters, while 59.8% are owner-occupied. Christiansburg leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Christiansburg rent compare to the national average?

Christiansburg's median rent of $1,589/mo is $373 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #68 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,589/mo, rent takes ~25% of Christiansburg's median household income ($77,147/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Christiansburg 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Christiansburg affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Christiansburg, VA

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