How much does it cost to rent in Suffolk, VA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Suffolk, VA is $1,993. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Suffolk cheaper than other Virginia cities?

Suffolk falls in the middle range for Virginia, ranking #50 out of 83 cities at $1,993/mo.

When was Suffolk rent data last updated?

Suffolk rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · VA

Suffolk

Name: Average Rent Prices in Suffolk, VA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 98,796·50th most expensive in Virginia·Suffolk rents are up 10.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,993/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.8%

Month-over-Month

+4.0%

vs US Median

+$28

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Suffolk · $1,993

More expensive than 59% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

35/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what Suffolk's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,993/mo

Expected by trend

$1,850/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Suffolk's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,635

1 BR

$1,645

2 BR

$1,880

3 BR

$2,615

4 BR+

$3,115

Research median

$1,880/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,916/yr

At $1,993/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.8% YoY, +4.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Suffolk, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

98,796

Median income

$92,666

Median age

38.7

Renters

29.3%

Age distribution

23.6%

21.3%

26.3%

13.5%

15.3%

Under 1823.6%

18–3421.3%

35–5426.3%

55–6413.5%

65+15.3%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

46.5%

42%

White46.5%

Black42%

Hispanic5.2%

Asian1.9%

Other4.4%

Education (25+)

25.2%

32.7%

33.3%

No HS diploma8.8%

HS diploma25.2%

Some college32.7%

Bachelor's+33.3%

Housing tenure

70.7%

29.3%

Owner70.7%

Renter29.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Suffolk, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,314 → $1,993

up 51.7%

Income

$81,883 → $92,666

up 13.2%

Population

93,268 → 98,796

up 5.9%

Renter share

30.3% → 29.3%

-1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

31% → 33.3%

+2.3 pts

Median age

38.2 → 38.7

+0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Suffolk, VA has shifted from $1,314 to $1,993, up 51.7% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Suffolk, VA now reports about $92,666, up from $81,883 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Suffolk, VA adding about 5,528 residents over the five-year window, up 5.9% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 31% to 33.3% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Suffolk, VA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Suffolk

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View Suffolk rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Suffolk on your salary?

At $1,993/mo, how Suffolk rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 24.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 35% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 30.3% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 17% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 13.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 37.3% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 41.3% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 33.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Suffolk rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Suffolk

About renting in Suffolk, VA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Suffolk is $1,993/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,635/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,645/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,615/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($92,666/yr), Suffolk ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Suffolk an affordable city for renters?

Suffolk is considered affordable for renters. At $1,993/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($92,666/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Suffolk falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Suffolk?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,993/mo in Suffolk. The local median household income is $92,666/yr, meaning the typical Suffolk household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Suffolk?

Rent in Suffolk has increased 10.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Suffolk neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Suffolk are 23434 ($1,805/mo), and 23435 ($2,205/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Suffolk is $1,993/mo.

How does Suffolk rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Suffolk is middle-of-the-pack for Virginia for rent, ranking #50 out of 83 tracked cities at $1,993/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Suffolk?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Suffolk ($1,993/mo): Portsmouth ($1,617/mo), Norfolk ($1,752/mo), Carrollton ($1,825/mo).

What percentage of Suffolk residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.3% of Suffolk households are renters, while 70.7% are owner-occupied. Suffolk leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.