At $1,574/mo, rent takes about 23% 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 $1,574 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 Forest changed +2.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 66 Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($81,552) is $2,039 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,950).
Lynchburg, 9 miles away, rents for 19% less ($1,270/mo), about $3,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Forest. 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
Forest, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 45.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Forest, VA has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Forest, VA now reports about $81,552, up from $80,000 in 2021. Census counts show Forest, VA adding about 2,385 residents over the five-year window, up 21.6% on net.
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Can you afford rent in Forest on your salary?
At $1,574/mo, how Forest rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Forest rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Forest. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Forest
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Forest is $1,574/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,160/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,800/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($81,552/yr), Forest ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Forest?
Is rent going up or down in Forest?
How does Forest rent compare to other cities in Virginia?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Forest?
At $1,574/mo, rent takes ~23% of Forest's median household income ($81,552/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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