Studio Apartment Rent in Portsmouth, VA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Portsmouth, Virginia as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,617 and +3% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Portsmouth
Compare Portsmouth's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danville | $630 |
| 2 | Martinsville | $700 |
| 3 | Bristol | $780 |
| 4 | Lexington | $830 |
| 5 | Farmville | $850 |
| 6 | Madison Heights | $880 |
| 7 | Roanoke | $883 |
| 8 | Christiansburg | $900 |
| 9 | Radford | $900 |
| 10 | Salem | $960 |
| 11 | Front Royal | $970 |
| 12 | Blacksburg | $990 |
| 13 | Waynesboro | $1,060 |
| 14 | Lynchburg | $1,100 |
| 15 | Harrisonburg | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Virginia
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $3,020 |
| 2 | Haymarket | $2,780 |
| 3 | Aldie | $2,720 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $2,670 |
| 5 | Burke | $2,560 |
| 6 | Vienna | $2,547 |
| 7 | Springfield | $2,490 |
| 8 | Chantilly | $2,440 |
| 9 | Arlington | $2,433 |
| 10 | Lorton | $2,430 |
| 11 | Oakton | $2,350 |
| 12 | Fairfax | $2,350 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $2,350 |
| 14 | Sterling | $2,257 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $2,249 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Portsmouth.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, VA | 6.4 mi | $1,417 | +$89 (+7%) |
| Chesapeake, VA | 7 mi | $1,637 | +$309 (+23%) |
| Suffolk, VA | 13.9 mi | $1,635 | +$307 (+23%) |
| Hampton, VA | 14.6 mi | $1,382 | +$54 (+4%) |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 17.6 mi | $1,750 | +$422 (+32%) |
| Newport News, VA | 18.4 mi | $1,328 | — |
| Yorktown, VA | 23.6 mi | $1,825 | +$497 (+37%) |
| Smithfield, VA | 24.4 mi | $1,340 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 38 mi | $880 | $-448 (-34%) |
| Williamsburg, VA | 41.5 mi | $1,535 | +$207 (+16%) |
| Belle Haven, VA | 61.4 mi | $1,395 | +$67 (+5%) |
| Hopewell, VA | 68.1 mi | $1,240 | $-88 (-7%) |
Studio rent in Portsmouth — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Portsmouth?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Portsmouth, Virginia is $1,328 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,617.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Portsmouth?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,120 ($4,427/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.54/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Portsmouth's studio median of $1,328 is +3% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 53th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portsmouth rank for studio rent in Virginia?
Among the 79 cities in Virginia with studio data, Portsmouth ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Portsmouth?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Elizabeth City ($880), Hopewell ($1,240).