2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Portsmouth, VA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth, Virginia as of October 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $1,642 and +8% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $880 |
| 2 | Danville | $920 |
| 3 | Bellwood | $1,008 |
| 4 | Madison Heights | $1,010 |
| 5 | Bristol | $1,100 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $1,131 |
| 7 | Radford | $1,140 |
| 8 | Christiansburg | $1,170 |
| 9 | Salem | $1,230 |
| 10 | Waynesboro | $1,230 |
| 11 | Montrose | $1,253 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | $1,265 |
| 13 | Front Royal | $1,280 |
| 14 | Staunton | $1,300 |
| 15 | Forest | $1,310 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,470 |
| 2 | Aldie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Gainesville | $3,070 |
| 4 | Burke | $2,940 |
| 5 | Vienna | $2,930 |
| 6 | Springfield | $2,863 |
| 7 | Chantilly | $2,805 |
| 8 | Arlington | $2,798 |
| 9 | Lorton | $2,790 |
| 10 | Fairfax | $2,703 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,700 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $2,700 |
| 13 | Sterling | $2,593 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $2,584 |
| 15 | McLean | $2,542 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Portsmouth.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA | 6.4 mi | $1,631 | +$103 (+7%) |
| Chesapeake, VA | 7 mi | $1,883 | +$355 (+23%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 13.9 mi | $1,880 | +$352 (+23%) |
| Hampton, VA | 14.6 mi | $1,588 | +$60 (+4%) |
| Carrollton, VA | 15.1 mi | $2,090 | +$562 (+37%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 17.6 mi | $2,014 | +$486 (+32%) |
| Newport News, VA | 18.4 mi | $1,530 | +$2 (0%) |
| Yorktown, VA | 23.6 mi | $2,100 | +$572 (+37%) |
| Smithfield, VA | 24.4 mi | $1,540 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 38 mi | $1,160 | $-368 (-24%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 41.5 mi | $1,760 | +$232 (+15%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 61.4 mi | $1,780 | +$252 (+16%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Portsmouth — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Portsmouth, Virginia is $1,528 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $1,642.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Portsmouth?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $61,120 ($5,093/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Portsmouth's 2-bedroom median of $1,528 is +8% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 42th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portsmouth rank for 2-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 78 cities in Virginia with 2-bedroom data, Portsmouth ranks #21 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Portsmouth?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Elizabeth City ($1,160).