How much does it cost to rent in Norfolk, VA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Norfolk, VA is $1,752. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Norfolk cheaper than other Virginia cities?

Norfolk is among the more affordable cities in Virginia, ranking #58 out of 83 cities at $1,752/mo.

When was Norfolk rent data last updated?

Norfolk rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · VA

Norfolk

Name: Average Rent Prices in Norfolk, VA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 233,596·58th most expensive in Virginia·Norfolk rents are up 7.4% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,752/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.4%

Month-over-Month

-0.5%

vs US Median

-$213

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Norfolk · $1,752

More affordable than 57% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

47/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$1,752/mo

Expected by trend

$1,722/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Norfolk's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,417

1 BR

$1,425

2 BR

$1,631

3 BR

$2,270

4 BR+

$2,701

Research median

$1,631/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$21,024/yr

At $1,752/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.4% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Norfolk, VA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

233,596

Median income

$66,109

Median age

32.7

Renters

53.7%

Age distribution

20.3%

33.5%

22.2%

13%

Under 1820.3%

18–3433.5%

35–5422.2%

55–6410.8%

65+13%

Gender

50.7%

49.3%

Male50.7%

Female49.3%

Race & ethnicity

43.2%

39.6%

White43.2%

Black39.6%

Hispanic10.1%

Asian3.7%

Other3.4%

Education (25+)

24.7%

32.1%

33.5%

No HS diploma9.8%

HS diploma24.7%

Some college32.1%

Bachelor's+33.5%

Housing tenure

46.3%

53.7%

Owner46.3%

Renter53.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Norfolk, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,250 → $1,752

up 40.2%

Income

$56,244 → $66,109

up 17.5%

Population

238,556 → 233,596

down 2.1%

Renter share

56.5% → 53.7%

-2.8 pts

Bachelor's+

31.8% → 33.5%

+1.7 pts

Median age

30.9 → 32.7

+1.8 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Norfolk, VA has increased by $502 per month, settling near $1,752 after starting the period at $1,250. Census figures show median household income at $66,109 today, compared with $56,244 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 22.7 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 238,556 to 233,596 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.1% change. About 53.7% of households rent today, against 56.5% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Norfolk

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View Norfolk rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Norfolk on your salary?

At $1,752/mo, how Norfolk rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 21.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 30.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 26.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 14.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 11.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 32.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 36.3% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 29.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Norfolk rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Norfolk

About renting in Norfolk, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Norfolk is $1,752/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,417/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,631/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,425/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,270/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($66,109/yr), Norfolk ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Norfolk an affordable city for renters?

Norfolk is considered moderate for renters. At $1,752/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($66,109/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Norfolk slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Norfolk?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,752/mo in Norfolk. The local median household income is $66,109/yr, meaning the typical Norfolk household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Norfolk?

Rent in Norfolk has increased 7.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Norfolk neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Norfolk are 23504 ($1,604/mo), 23502 ($1,632/mo), and 23503 ($1,636/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Norfolk is $1,752/mo.

How does Norfolk rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Norfolk is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #58 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,752/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Norfolk?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Norfolk ($1,752/mo): Portsmouth ($1,617/mo), Hampton ($1,693/mo).

What percentage of Norfolk residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.7% of Norfolk households are renters, while 46.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Norfolk has a strong rental market.

How does Norfolk rent compare to the national average?

Norfolk's median rent of $1,752/mo is $213 (11%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #58 out of 83 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $1,752/mo, rent takes ~32% of Norfolk's median household income ($66,109/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Norfolk 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Norfolk affordability calculator →

Nearby cities