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City Report · VA

Fairfax

Pop. 25,026·23rd most expensive in Virginia·Rental market data updated monthly for Fairfax, VA
Median rent (all units)
$2,458/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
+$493
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fairfax · $2,458
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
47/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Fairfax's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,458/mo
Expected by trend
$2,427/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fairfax's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,350
1 BR
$2,403
2 BR
$2,703
3 BR
$3,378
4 BR+
$3,988
Research median
$2,703/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$29,496/yr
At $2,458/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fairfax, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 62.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
25,026
Median income
$132,348
Median age
36.6
Renters
30.1%
Age distribution
24.8%
22.9%
25.7%
12.6%
14.1%
Under 1824.8%
18–3422.9%
35–5425.7%
55–6412.6%
65+14.1%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
52.8%
18.9%
18.4%
White52.8%
Black6.3%
Hispanic18.9%
Asian18.4%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
16.8%
62.4%
No HS diploma9.3%
HS diploma11.5%
Some college16.8%
Bachelor's+62.4%
Housing tenure
69.9%
30.1%
Owner69.9%
Renter30.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fairfax, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,859 → $2,458
up 32.2%
Income
$118,492 → $132,348
up 11.7%
Population
23,980 → 25,026
up 4.4%
Renter share
29.7% → 30.1%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
61.4% → 62.4%
+1.0 pts
Median age
37.7 → 36.6
-1.1 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Fairfax, VA has increased by $599 per month, settling near $2,458 after starting the period at $1,859. Median household income grew from $118,492 to $132,348 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.7% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 20.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 23,980 to 25,026 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.4% change. Taken together, the five-year picture in Fairfax, VA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Fairfax

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

Can you afford rent in Fairfax on your salary?

At $2,458/mo, how Fairfax rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fairfax rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fairfax

About renting in Fairfax, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fairfax is $2,458/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,350/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,703/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,403/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,378/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($132,348/yr), Fairfax ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fairfax an affordable city for renters?

Fairfax is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,458/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($132,348/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fairfax falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fairfax?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,458/mo in Fairfax. The local median household income is $132,348/yr, meaning the typical Fairfax household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fairfax?

Rent in Fairfax has increased 3.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fairfax neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fairfax are 22033 ($2,361/mo), 22031 ($2,460/mo), and 22030 ($2,466/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fairfax is $2,458/mo.

How does Fairfax rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Fairfax is one of the pricier cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #23 out of 83 tracked cities at $2,458/mo.

What percentage of Fairfax residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.1% of Fairfax households are renters, while 69.9% are owner-occupied. Fairfax leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fairfax rent compare to the national average?

Fairfax's median rent of $2,458/mo is $493 (25%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #23 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,458/mo, rent takes ~22% of Fairfax's median household income ($132,348/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fairfax 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Fairfax affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fairfax, VA

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