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City Report · VA

Roanoke

Pop. 98,355·76th most expensive in Virginia·Roanoke rents are up 7.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,394/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.2%
Month-over-Month
+2.4%
vs US Median
-$571
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Roanoke · $1,394
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
49/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Roanoke's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,394/mo
Expected by trend
$1,387/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Roanoke's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$883
1 BR
$940
2 BR
$1,131
3 BR
$1,584
4 BR+
$1,870
Research median
$1,131/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,728/yr
At $1,394/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.2% YoY, +2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Roanoke, VA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
98,355
Median income
$55,378
Median age
38.3
Renters
47.6%
Age distribution
22.6%
22.4%
24.8%
12.4%
17.8%
Under 1822.6%
18–3422.4%
35–5424.8%
55–6412.4%
65+17.8%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
56.8%
27.9%
White56.8%
Black27.9%
Hispanic9%
Asian3.1%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
32.4%
27.3%
30%
No HS diploma10.3%
HS diploma32.4%
Some college27.3%
Bachelor's+30%
Housing tenure
52.4%
47.6%
Owner52.4%
Renter47.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Roanoke, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$924 → $1,394
up 50.9%
Income
$48,476 → $55,378
up 14.2%
Population
99,578 → 98,355
down 1.2%
Renter share
48.1% → 47.6%
-0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
26.8% → 30%
+3.2 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Roanoke, VA has climbed by $470 per month, settling near $1,394 after starting the period at $924. Household income in the area moved from $48,476 to $55,378 across the same window, up 14.2% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 36.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 99,578 to 98,355 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 26.8% to 30%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Roanoke, VA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Roanoke on your salary?

At $1,394/mo, how Roanoke rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Roanoke rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Roanoke

About renting in Roanoke, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Roanoke is $1,394/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $883/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,131/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $940/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,584/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($55,378/yr), Roanoke ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Roanoke an affordable city for renters?

Roanoke is considered moderate for renters. At $1,394/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($55,378/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Roanoke slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Roanoke?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,394/mo in Roanoke. The local median household income is $55,378/yr, meaning the typical Roanoke household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Roanoke?

Rent in Roanoke has increased 7.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Roanoke neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Roanoke are 24016 ($1,105/mo), 24015 ($1,333/mo), and 24013 ($1,349/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Roanoke is $1,394/mo.

How does Roanoke rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Roanoke is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #76 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,394/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Roanoke?

Martinsville is nearby and more affordable at $871/mo, which is $523 less than Roanoke.

What percentage of Roanoke residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.6% of Roanoke households are renters, while 52.4% are owner-occupied. Roanoke leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Roanoke rent compare to the national average?

Roanoke's median rent of $1,394/mo is $571 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #76 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,394/mo, rent takes ~30% of Roanoke's median household income ($55,378/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Roanoke, VA

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