How much does it cost to rent in Virginia Beach, VA?

As of June 2026, the median monthly rent in Virginia Beach, VA is $2,054. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Virginia Beach cheaper than other Virginia cities?

Virginia Beach falls in the middle range for Virginia, ranking #44 out of 85 cities at $2,054/mo.

When was Virginia Beach rent data last updated?

Virginia Beach rent data reflects June 2026 and was last refreshed on June 22, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

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City Report · VA

Virginia Beach

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

Pop. 456,349·44th most expensive in Virginia·Virginia Beach rents are up 9.7% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,054/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.7%

Month-over-Month

+2.2%

vs US Median

+$103

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Virginia Beach · $2,054

More expensive than 62% of US cities · National median $1,951/mo

Rent Reality Score

44/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Virginia Beach's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,054/mo

Expected by trend

$1,990/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,750

1 BR

$1,760

2 BR

$2,014

3 BR

$2,803

4 BR+

$3,338

Research median

$2,014/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost

$24,648/yr

At $2,054/mo median

Market timing

Rents rising

Act sooner rather than later.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Virginia Beach, VA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 40.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

456,349

Median income

$92,968

Median age

37.9

Renters

34.9%

Age distribution

21.9%

23.8%

25.9%

12.5%

15.9%

Under 1821.9%

18–3423.8%

35–5425.9%

55–6412.5%

65+15.9%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

60.8%

18.8%

White60.8%

Black18.8%

Hispanic9.1%

Asian7.2%

Other4.1%

Education (25+)

22%

31.7%

40.9%

No HS diploma5.3%

HS diploma22%

Some college31.7%

Bachelor's+40.9%

Housing tenure

65.1%

34.9%

Owner65.1%

Renter34.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Virginia Beach, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,449 → $2,054

up 41.8%

Income

$81,810 → $92,968

up 13.6%

Population

457,658 → 456,349

down 0.3%

Renter share

35% → 34.9%

-0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

38.6% → 40.9%

+2.3 pts

Median age

36.7 → 37.9

+1.2 yrs

The median rent in Virginia Beach, VA stood at $1,449 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,054, reflecting a 41.8% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $81,810 to $92,968 across the same window, up 13.6% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 40.9% of adults here, versus 38.6% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Virginia Beach, VA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Virginia Beach

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View Virginia Beach rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Virginia Beach on your salary?

At $2,054/mo, how Virginia Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 25.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 36% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 31.3% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 17.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 13.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 38.5% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 42.6% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

By apartment size

Virginia Beach rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Virginia Beach

About renting in Virginia Beach, VA

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Virginia Beach is $2,054/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,014/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,760/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,803/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($92,968/yr), Virginia Beach ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Virginia Beach an affordable city for renters?

Virginia Beach is considered affordable for renters. At $2,054/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($92,968/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Virginia Beach falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Virginia Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,054/mo in Virginia Beach. The local median household income is $92,968/yr, meaning the typical Virginia Beach household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Virginia Beach?

Rent in Virginia Beach has increased 9.7% over the past year as of June 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Virginia Beach neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Virginia Beach are 23452 ($1,870/mo), 23453 ($1,927/mo), and 23462 ($1,955/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Virginia Beach is $2,054/mo.

How does Virginia Beach rent compare to other cities in Virginia?

Virginia Beach is middle-of-the-pack for Virginia for rent, ranking #44 out of 85 tracked cities at $2,054/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Virginia Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Virginia Beach ($2,054/mo): Portsmouth ($1,632/mo), Hampton ($1,643/mo), Norfolk ($1,761/mo).

What percentage of Virginia Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.9% of Virginia Beach households are renters, while 65.1% are owner-occupied. Virginia Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Virginia Beach rent compare to the national average?

Virginia Beach's median rent of $2,054/mo is $103 (5%) above the US national median of $1,951/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #44 out of 85 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

27%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,054/mo, rent takes ~27% of Virginia Beach's median household income ($92,968/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Virginia Beach 27%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–5.75%

Run the Virginia Beach affordability calculator →

Nearby cities