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City Report · VA

Radford

Pop. 16,726·73rd most expensive in Virginia·Radford rents are up 22.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,467/mo
Year-over-Year
+22.9%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
-$495
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Radford · $1,467
More affordable than 78% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,467/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$59,000/yr
Local median income
$57,348/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Radford's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$900
1 BR
$900
2 BR
$1,140
3 BR
$1,550
4 BR+
$1,930
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,140/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,467 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$17,604/yr
At $1,467/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 22.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+22.9% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Radford, VA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 37.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,726
Median income
$57,348
Median age
23.3
Renters
57.7%
Age distribution
12.5%
53.9%
15.9%
Under 1812.5%
18–3453.9%
35–5415.9%
55–648.1%
65+9.6%
Gender
44.3%
55.7%
Male44.3%
Female55.7%
Race & ethnicity
82.4%
White82.4%
Black9.4%
Hispanic4.4%
Asian2.4%
Other1.4%
Education (25+)
21.8%
34.1%
37.9%
No HS diploma6.2%
HS diploma21.8%
Some college34.1%
Bachelor's+37.9%
Housing tenure
42.3%
57.7%
Owner42.3%
Renter57.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Radford, VA has changed in 5 years

Income
$44,360 → $57,348
up 29.3%
Population
16,205 → 16,726
up 3.2%
Renter share
54.3% → 57.7%
+3.4 pts
Bachelor's+
40.4% → 37.9%
-2.5 pts

Census figures show median household income at $57,348 today, compared with $44,360 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 16,205 to 16,726 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.2% change. About 57.7% of households rent today, against 54.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 40.4% to 37.9%.

Community

Discussions about Radford

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View Radford rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Radford on your salary?

At $1,467/mo, how Radford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Radford rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Radford

About renting in Radford, VA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Radford is $1,467/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,140/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $900/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,550/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($57,348/yr), Radford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 22.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Radford an affordable city for renters?

Radford is considered moderate for renters. At $1,467/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($57,348/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Radford slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Radford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,467/mo in Radford. The local median household income is $57,348/yr, meaning the typical Radford household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Radford?

Rent in Radford has increased 22.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Radford rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Radford is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #73 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,467/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Radford?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Radford ($1,467/mo): Princeton ($795/mo), Mount Airy ($1,095/mo).

What percentage of Radford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57.7% of Radford households are renters, while 42.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Radford has a strong rental market.

How does Radford rent compare to the national average?

Radford's median rent of $1,467/mo is $495 (25%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #73 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,467/mo, rent takes ~31% of Radford's median household income ($57,348/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Radford 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Radford affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Radford, VA

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