3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Portsmouth, VA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +32% higher than the citywide median of $1,617 and in line with the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsville | $1,060 |
| 2 | Farmville | $1,230 |
| 3 | Danville | $1,260 |
| 4 | Bellwood | $1,324 |
| 5 | Lexington | $1,370 |
| 6 | Madison Heights | $1,390 |
| 7 | Bristol | $1,420 |
| 8 | East Highland Park | $1,459 |
| 9 | Radford | $1,550 |
| 10 | Christiansburg | $1,570 |
| 11 | Roanoke | $1,584 |
| 12 | Montrose | $1,606 |
| 13 | Front Royal | $1,710 |
| 14 | Prince George | $1,713 |
| 15 | Salem | $1,720 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Virginia
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $4,340 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $4,000 |
| 3 | Aldie | $3,910 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $3,840 |
| 5 | Burke | $3,680 |
| 6 | Vienna | $3,663 |
| 7 | Springfield | $3,580 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $3,510 |
| 9 | Arlington | $3,501 |
| 10 | Lorton | $3,490 |
| 11 | Oakton | $3,380 |
| 12 | Fairfax | $3,378 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $3,375 |
| 14 | Sterling | $3,243 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $3,231 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Portsmouth.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA | 6.4 mi | $2,270 | +$142 (+7%) |
| Chesapeake, VA | 7 mi | $2,622 | +$494 (+23%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 13.9 mi | $2,615 | +$487 (+23%) |
| Hampton, VA | 14.6 mi | $2,212 | +$84 (+4%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 17.6 mi | $2,803 | +$675 (+32%) |
| Newport News, VA | 18.4 mi | $2,128 | — |
| Yorktown, VA | 23.6 mi | $2,925 | +$797 (+37%) |
| Smithfield, VA | 24.4 mi | $2,140 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 38 mi | $1,560 | $-568 (-27%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 41.5 mi | $2,450 | +$322 (+15%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 61.4 mi | $3,042 | +$914 (+43%) |
| Prince George, VA | 64.7 mi | $1,713 | $-415 (-20%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Portsmouth — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Portsmouth, Virginia is $2,128 per month. This is +32% higher than the citywide median of $1,617.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Portsmouth?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $85,120 ($7,093/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Portsmouth's 3-bedroom median of $2,128 is right at the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 50th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portsmouth rank for 3-bedroom rent in Virginia?
Among the 82 cities in Virginia with 3-bedroom data, Portsmouth ranks #29 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Portsmouth?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Elizabeth City ($1,560), Prince George ($1,713).