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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Petersburg, VA is $1,337. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Petersburg cheaper than other Virginia cities?

Petersburg is among the more affordable cities in Virginia, ranking #79 out of 83 cities at $1,337/mo.

When was Petersburg rent data last updated?

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

Is Petersburg a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Petersburg is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · VA

Petersburg

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

Pop. 33,537·79th most expensive in Virginia·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,337/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.1%

Month-over-Month

-2.1%

vs US Median

-$628

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Petersburg rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Petersburg · $1,337

More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Petersburg's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,337/mo

Expected by trend

$1,448/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,250

1 BR

$1,300

2 BR

$1,440

3 BR

$1,835

4 BR+

$2,255

Research median

$1,440/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

$16,044/yr

At $1,337/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.1% YoY, -2.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Petersburg, VA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 25.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

33,537

Median income

$50,698

Median age

35.8

Renters

61.4%

Age distribution

23.9%

24.7%

21.3%

13.3%

16.8%

Under 1823.9%

18–3424.7%

35–5421.3%

55–6413.3%

65+16.8%

Gender

45.2%

54.8%

Male45.2%

Female54.8%

Race & ethnicity

15.2%

76.5%

White15.2%

Black76.5%

Hispanic6.5%

Asian1.3%

Other0.5%

Education (25+)

13.3%

32.8%

28.6%

25.4%

No HS diploma13.3%

HS diploma32.8%

Some college28.6%

Bachelor's+25.4%

Housing tenure

38.6%

61.4%

Owner38.6%

Renter61.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Petersburg, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$977 → $1,337

up 36.8%

Income

$44,890 → $50,698

up 12.9%

Population

33,229 → 33,537

up 0.9%

Renter share

64.1% → 61.4%

-2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

22% → 25.4%

+3.4 pts

Median age

37.2 → 35.8

-1.4 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Petersburg, VA paid around $977 a month. That figure now sits near $1,337, up 36.8% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Petersburg, VA now reports about $50,698, up from $44,890 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 64.1% to 61.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 22% to 25.4% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Petersburg, VA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Petersburg

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View Petersburg rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Petersburg on your salary?

At $1,337/mo, how Petersburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 16.6% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 23.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 20.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 11.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 8.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 25% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 27.7% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 22.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Petersburg rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Petersburg

About renting in Petersburg, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Petersburg is $1,337/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,250/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,440/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,300/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,835/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($50,698/yr), Petersburg ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Petersburg an affordable city for renters?

Petersburg is considered moderate for renters. At $1,337/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($50,698/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Petersburg slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Petersburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,337/mo in Petersburg. The local median household income is $50,698/yr, meaning the typical Petersburg household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Petersburg?

Rent in Petersburg has increased 1.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Petersburg neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Petersburg are 23803 ($1,258/mo), and 23805 ($1,470/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Petersburg is $1,337/mo.

How does Petersburg rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Petersburg is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #79 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,337/mo.

What percentage of Petersburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 61.4% of Petersburg households are renters, while 38.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Petersburg has a strong rental market.

How does Petersburg rent compare to the national average?

Petersburg's median rent of $1,337/mo is $628 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #79 out of 83 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $1,337/mo, rent takes ~32% of Petersburg's median household income ($50,698/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Petersburg 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Petersburg affordability calculator →

Nearby cities