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City Report · VA

Colonial Heights

Pop. 18,352·70th most expensive in Virginia·Colonial Heights rents are up 7.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,565/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.9%
Month-over-Month
-7.4%
vs US Median
-$397
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Colonial Heights · $1,565
More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,565/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$76,505/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Colonial Heights's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,360
1 BR
$1,410
2 BR
$1,560
3 BR
$1,980
4 BR+
$2,440
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,560/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,565 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
$18,780/yr
At $1,565/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 7.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.9% YoY, -7.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Colonial Heights, VA is majority owner-occupied, 28% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,352
Median income
$76,505
Median age
38.2
Renters
31.9%
Age distribution
24.6%
20.9%
24.1%
12.1%
18.3%
Under 1824.6%
18–3420.9%
35–5424.1%
55–6412.1%
65+18.3%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
66.2%
19.3%
White66.2%
Black19.3%
Hispanic8.3%
Asian3.7%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
32%
30.8%
28%
No HS diploma9.2%
HS diploma32%
Some college30.8%
Bachelor's+28%
Housing tenure
68.1%
31.9%
Owner68.1%
Renter31.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Colonial Heights, VA has changed in 5 years

Income
$65,570 → $76,505
up 16.7%
Population
18,127 → 18,352
up 1.2%
Renter share
34% → 31.9%
-2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
25.9% → 28%
+2.1 pts
Median age
39 → 38.2
-0.8 yrs

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.

Community

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View Colonial Heights rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Colonial Heights on your salary?

At $1,565/mo, how Colonial Heights rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Colonial Heights rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Colonial Heights

About renting in Colonial Heights, VA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Colonial Heights is $1,565/mo as of August 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 25% of local median household income ($76,505/yr), Colonial Heights ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Colonial Heights an affordable city for renters?

Colonial Heights is considered affordable for renters. At $1,565/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($76,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Colonial Heights falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Colonial Heights?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,565/mo in Colonial Heights. The local median household income is $76,505/yr, meaning the typical Colonial Heights household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Colonial Heights?

Rent in Colonial Heights has increased 7.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Colonial Heights rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Colonial Heights is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #70 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,565/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Colonial Heights?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Colonial Heights ($1,565/mo): Hopewell ($1,340/mo), Petersburg ($1,346/mo).

What percentage of Colonial Heights residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.9% of Colonial Heights households are renters, while 68.1% are owner-occupied. Colonial Heights leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Colonial Heights rent compare to the national average?

Colonial Heights's median rent of $1,565/mo is $397 (20%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #70 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,565/mo, rent takes ~25% of Colonial Heights's median household income ($76,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Colonial Heights, VA

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