1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Norfolk, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Norfolk, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $1,749 and +2% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Norfolk
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Norfolk
Compare Norfolk's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 2 | Danville | $740 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $809 |
| 4 | Bristol | $870 |
| 5 | Madison Heights | $890 |
| 6 | Radford | $900 |
| 7 | Christiansburg | $920 |
| 8 | Roanoke | $940 |
| 9 | Front Royal | $980 |
| 10 | Salem | $1,020 |
| 11 | Blacksburg | $1,040 |
| 12 | Waynesboro | $1,070 |
| 13 | Montrose | $1,075 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,120 |
| 15 | Culpeper | $1,130 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,080 |
| 2 | Aldie | $2,780 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $2,730 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,610 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,600 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,547 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,490 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,486 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,480 |
| 10 | Fairfax | $2,403 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,400 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,395 |
| 13 | Sterling | $2,307 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,297 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,256 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Norfolk.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Norfolk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth, VA | 6.4 mi | $1,336 | $-89 (-6%) |
| Chesapeake, VA | 9.7 mi | $1,647 | +$222 (+16%) |
| Hampton, VA | 12.4 mi | $1,390 | $-35 (-2%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 13 mi | $1,760 | +$335 (+24%) |
| Carrollton, VA | 18.4 mi | $1,830 | +$405 (+28%) |
| Newport News, VA | 19.3 mi | $1,337 | $-88 (-6%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 20.2 mi | $1,645 | +$220 (+15%) |
| Yorktown, VA | 22.8 mi | $1,840 | +$415 (+29%) |
| Smithfield, VA | 28 mi | $1,340 | $-85 (-6%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 41.2 mi | $880 | $-545 (-38%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 42.8 mi | $1,535 | +$110 (+8%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 55.5 mi | $1,842 | +$417 (+29%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Norfolk — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Norfolk?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Norfolk, Virginia is $1,425 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $1,749.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Norfolk?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,000 ($4,750/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Norfolk expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Norfolk's 1-bedroom median of $1,425 is +2% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 52th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Norfolk rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Norfolk ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Norfolk?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Portsmouth ($1,336), Hampton ($1,390), Newport News ($1,337).