At $1,665/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,665 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Colonial Heights changed -1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 66 Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.
Rent has fallen 4 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($76,505) is $1,913 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,560); a 3-bedroom is $1,980.
Petersburg, 8 miles away, rents for 18% less ($1,373/mo), about $3,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Colonial Heights. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Colonial Heights, VA is majority owner-occupied, 28% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Colonial Heights, VA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $76,505 today, compared with $65,570 five years earlier. The population has grown by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 18,127 residents to roughly 18,352. Renters now make up 31.9% of households, compared with 34% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 28% of adults here, versus 25.9% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Colonial Heights on your salary?
At $1,665/mo, how Colonial Heights rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Colonial Heights rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Colonial Heights. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Colonial Heights
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Colonial Heights is $1,665/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,360/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,560/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,410/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,980/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($76,505/yr), Colonial Heights ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Colonial Heights?
Is rent going up or down in Colonial Heights?
How does Colonial Heights rent compare to other cities in Virginia?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Colonial Heights?
At $1,665/mo, rent takes ~26% of Colonial Heights's median household income ($76,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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