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City Report · VA

Staunton

Pop. 25,948·71st most expensive in Virginia·Staunton rents are up 16.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,558/mo
Year-over-Year
+16.3%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$404
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Staunton · $1,558
More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
25/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 13% above what Staunton's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,558/mo
Expected by trend
$1,383/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Staunton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,120
1 BR
$1,130
2 BR
$1,300
3 BR
$1,820
4 BR+
$2,120
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,300/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,558 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
$18,696/yr
At $1,558/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 16.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+16.3% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Staunton, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 37.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
25,948
Median income
$65,581
Median age
39.9
Renters
39.1%
Age distribution
19.3%
22.6%
24.1%
12.7%
21.3%
Under 1819.3%
18–3422.6%
35–5424.1%
55–6412.7%
65+21.3%
Gender
45.8%
54.2%
Male45.8%
Female54.2%
Race & ethnicity
79.3%
White79.3%
Black10.9%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian1.4%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
27.7%
28.5%
37.7%
No HS diploma6.1%
HS diploma27.7%
Some college28.5%
Bachelor's+37.7%
Housing tenure
60.9%
39.1%
Owner60.9%
Renter39.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Staunton, VA has changed in 5 years

Income
$53,041 → $65,581
up 23.6%
Population
25,358 → 25,948
up 2.3%
Renter share
41.3% → 39.1%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
30.3% → 37.7%
+7.4 pts
Median age
40.9 → 39.9
-1.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $53,041 to $65,581 across the same window, up 23.6% versus 2021. Census counts show Staunton, VA adding about 590 residents over the five-year window, up 2.3% on net. The renter share has eased from 41.3% to 39.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 30.3% to 37.7% across the same window.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Staunton on your salary?

At $1,558/mo, how Staunton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Staunton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Staunton

About renting in Staunton, VA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Staunton is $1,558/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,120/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,130/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,820/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($65,581/yr), Staunton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Staunton an affordable city for renters?

Staunton is considered affordable for renters. At $1,558/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($65,581/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Staunton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Staunton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $62,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,558/mo in Staunton. The local median household income is $65,581/yr, meaning the typical Staunton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Staunton?

Rent in Staunton has increased 16.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Staunton rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Staunton is one of the more affordable cities in Virginia for rent, ranking #71 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,558/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Staunton?

Waynesboro is nearby and more affordable at $1,461/mo, which is $97 less than Staunton.

What percentage of Staunton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.1% of Staunton households are renters, while 60.9% are owner-occupied. Staunton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Staunton rent compare to the national average?

Staunton's median rent of $1,558/mo is $404 (21%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #71 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,558/mo, rent takes ~29% of Staunton's median household income ($65,581/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Staunton 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Staunton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Staunton, VA

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