At $2,402/mo, rent takes about 18% 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 $2,402 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 Mount Vernon changed +1.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 66 Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($163,750) is $4,094 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,020).
Fort Belvoir, 3 miles away, rents for 13% less ($2,092/mo), about $3,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Mount Vernon. 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
Mount Vernon, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 63.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Mount Vernon, VA has changed in 5 years
Median household income rose from $149,087 to $163,750 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.8% shift. The population has contracted by 4.3% since 2021, moving from about 13,707 residents to roughly 13,122. Renters now make up 26.5% of households, compared with 22.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 63.6% of adults here, versus 61.6% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Mount Vernon on your salary?
At $2,402/mo, how Mount Vernon rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Mount Vernon rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Mount Vernon. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Mount Vernon
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Mount Vernon is $2,402/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,560/mo.
At 18% of local median household income ($163,750/yr), Mount Vernon ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Mount Vernon?
Is rent going up or down in Mount Vernon?
How does Mount Vernon rent compare to other cities in Virginia?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mount Vernon?
At $2,402/mo, rent takes ~18% of Mount Vernon's median household income ($163,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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