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City Report · VA

Virginia Beach

Pop. 456,349·42nd most expensive in Virginia·Virginia Beach rents are up 10.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,076/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.5%
vs US Median
+$114
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Virginia Beach · $2,076
More expensive than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
43/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$2,076/mo
Expected by trend
$2,007/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,014/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,076 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
$24,912/yr
At $2,076/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.0% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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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 → $2,076
up 43.3%
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 $2,076, reflecting a 43.3% 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 $2,076/mo, how Virginia Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Virginia Beach is $2,076/mo as of August 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 10.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Virginia Beach an affordable city for renters?

Virginia Beach is considered affordable for renters. At $2,076/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 $83,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,076/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 10.0% over the past year as of August 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 ($1,838/mo), 23453 ($1,943/mo), and 23464 ($2,014/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Virginia Beach is $2,076/mo.

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

Virginia Beach is middle-of-the-pack for Virginia for rent, ranking #42 out of 83 tracked cities at $2,076/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Virginia Beach ($2,076/mo): Portsmouth ($1,599/mo), Hampton ($1,682/mo), Norfolk ($1,736/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 $2,076/mo is $114 (6%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Virginia, it ranks #42 out of 83 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,076/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 →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Virginia Beach
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Virginia Beach, VA

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