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City Report · VA

Culpeper

Pop. 20,794·53rd most expensive in Virginia·Culpeper rents have dropped 12.4%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,798/mo
Year-over-Year
-12.4%
Month-over-Month
-5.8%
vs US Median
-$164
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Culpeper · $1,798
More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,798/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$72,000/yr
Local median income
$94,721/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Culpeper's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,130
1 BR
$1,130
2 BR
$1,400
3 BR
$1,860
4 BR+
$2,010
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,400/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,798 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
$21,576/yr
At $1,798/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 12.4% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-12.4% YoY, -5.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Culpeper, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 30.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,794
Median income
$94,721
Median age
32.5
Renters
40.8%
Age distribution
29.8%
23.4%
26.6%
Under 1829.8%
18–3423.4%
35–5426.6%
55–649.2%
65+11.1%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
50.4%
17.2%
26.5%
White50.4%
Black17.2%
Hispanic26.5%
Asian2.2%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
16%
26.1%
27.3%
30.7%
No HS diploma16%
HS diploma26.1%
Some college27.3%
Bachelor's+30.7%
Housing tenure
59.2%
40.8%
Owner59.2%
Renter40.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Culpeper, VA has changed in 5 years

Income
$79,572 → $94,721
up 19.0%
Population
19,740 → 20,794
up 5.3%
Renter share
40.8% → 40.8%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
30.4% → 30.7%
+0.3 pts
Median age
35.5 → 32.5
-3.0 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Culpeper, VA now reports about $94,721, up from $79,572 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 19,740 to 20,794 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.3% change.

Community

Discussions about Culpeper

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

Can you afford rent in Culpeper on your salary?

At $1,798/mo, how Culpeper rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Culpeper rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Culpeper

About renting in Culpeper, VA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Culpeper is $1,798/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,400/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,130/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,860/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($94,721/yr), Culpeper ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 12.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Culpeper an affordable city for renters?

Culpeper is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,798/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($94,721/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Culpeper falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Culpeper?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,798/mo in Culpeper. The local median household income is $94,721/yr, meaning the typical Culpeper household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Culpeper?

Rent in Culpeper has decreased 12.4% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Culpeper rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Culpeper is middle-of-the-pack for Virginia for rent, ranking #53 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,798/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Culpeper?

Front Royal is nearby and more affordable at $1,779/mo, which is $19 less than Culpeper.

What percentage of Culpeper residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.8% of Culpeper households are renters, while 59.2% are owner-occupied. Culpeper leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Culpeper rent compare to the national average?

Culpeper's median rent of $1,798/mo is $164 (8%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #53 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,798/mo, rent takes ~23% of Culpeper's median household income ($94,721/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Culpeper 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Culpeper affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Culpeper, VA

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