Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Richmond, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.4% of gross income.
Richmond rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Richmond, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Richmond
View full rent data for Richmond, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Richmond, VA?
Median rent in Richmond is $1,628 a month. A typical pharmacist in Virginia earns about $135,405 a year, which makes that rent 14.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Richmond?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Virginia (~$135,405/yr) supports up to $3,385 a month in rent. Richmond's current median rent is $1,628/mo, which leaves a $1,757/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Richmond?
At an hourly equivalent of about $65 an hour, a pharmacist in Virginia works roughly 25 hours a month to cover Richmond's median rent of $1,628.
Where is rent cheaper than Richmond for a pharmacist?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,624/mo), Harrisonburg ($1,623/mo), Portsmouth ($1,622/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.