1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Portsmouth, VA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $1,617 and +4% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth
Compare Portsmouth'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 | Farmville | $850 |
| 5 | Bristol | $870 |
| 6 | Lexington | $870 |
| 7 | Madison Heights | $890 |
| 8 | Radford | $900 |
| 9 | Christiansburg | $920 |
| 10 | Roanoke | $940 |
| 11 | Front Royal | $980 |
| 12 | Salem | $1,020 |
| 13 | Blacksburg | $1,040 |
| 14 | East Highland Park | $1,051 |
| 15 | Waynesboro | $1,070 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,080 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $2,840 |
| 3 | Aldie | $2,780 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $2,730 |
| 5 | Burke | $2,610 |
| 6 | Vienna | $2,600 |
| 7 | Springfield | $2,547 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $2,490 |
| 9 | Arlington | $2,486 |
| 10 | Lorton | $2,480 |
| 11 | Fairfax | $2,403 |
| 12 | Oakton | $2,400 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $2,395 |
| 14 | Sterling | $2,307 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $2,297 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Portsmouth.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA | 6.4 mi | $1,425 | +$89 (+7%) |
| Chesapeake, VA | 7 mi | $1,647 | +$311 (+23%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 13.9 mi | $1,645 | +$309 (+23%) |
| Hampton, VA | 14.6 mi | $1,390 | +$54 (+4%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 17.6 mi | $1,760 | +$424 (+32%) |
| Newport News, VA | 18.4 mi | $1,337 | +$1 (0%) |
| Yorktown, VA | 23.6 mi | $1,840 | +$504 (+38%) |
| Smithfield, VA | 24.4 mi | $1,340 | +$4 (0%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 38 mi | $880 | $-456 (-34%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 41.5 mi | $1,535 | +$199 (+15%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 61.4 mi | $1,842 | +$506 (+38%) |
| Hopewell, VA | 68.1 mi | $1,290 | $-46 (-3%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Portsmouth — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Portsmouth, Virginia is $1,336 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $1,617.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Portsmouth?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,440 ($4,453/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Portsmouth's 1-bedroom median of $1,336 is +4% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 46th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portsmouth rank for 1-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 81 cities in Virginia with 1-bedroom data, Portsmouth ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Portsmouth?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Elizabeth City ($880), Hopewell ($1,290).