City Report · VA

Lexington

Pop. 7,525·63rd most expensive in Virginia·Rental market data updated monthly for Lexington, VA
Median rent (all units)
$1,651/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.8%
vs US Median
-$311
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lexington · $1,651
More affordable than 66% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,651/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$66,000/yr
Local median income
$84,517/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lexington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$980
3 BR
$1,370
4 BR+
$1,610
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$980/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,651 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
$19,812/yr
At $1,651/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lexington, VA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 50.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,525
Median income
$84,517
Median age
22.6
Renters
46.2%
Age distribution
55.4%
13.2%
16.9%
Under 187.3%
18–3455.4%
35–5413.2%
55–647.2%
65+16.9%
Gender
53.3%
46.7%
Male53.3%
Female46.7%
Race & ethnicity
82.7%
White82.7%
Black5.8%
Hispanic6.3%
Asian3.5%
Other1.8%
Education (25+)
24.7%
15.7%
50.7%
No HS diploma8.9%
HS diploma24.7%
Some college15.7%
Bachelor's+50.7%
Housing tenure
53.8%
46.2%
Owner53.8%
Renter46.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lexington, VA has changed in 5 years

Income
$66,114 → $84,517
up 27.8%
Population
7,287 → 7,525
up 3.3%
Renter share
46.2% → 46.2%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
60.5% → 50.7%
-9.8 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Lexington, VA now reports about $84,517, up from $66,114 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 7,287 to 7,525 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.3% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 60.5% to 50.7%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Lexington on your salary?

At $1,651/mo, how Lexington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lexington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lexington

About renting in Lexington, VA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lexington is $1,651/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,370/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($84,517/yr), Lexington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lexington an affordable city for renters?

Lexington is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,651/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($84,517/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lexington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lexington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,651/mo in Lexington. The local median household income is $84,517/yr, meaning the typical Lexington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lexington?

Rent in Lexington has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Lexington rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Lexington is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #63 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,651/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lexington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lexington ($1,651/mo): Madison Heights ($1,090/mo), Lynchburg ($1,333/mo), Forest ($1,516/mo).

What percentage of Lexington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.2% of Lexington households are renters, while 53.8% are owner-occupied. Lexington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lexington rent compare to the national average?

Lexington's median rent of $1,651/mo is $311 (16%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #63 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,651/mo, rent takes ~23% of Lexington's median household income ($84,517/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lexington, VA

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