Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Suffolk, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.4% of gross income.
Suffolk rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Suffolk, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Suffolk
View full rent data for Suffolk, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Suffolk, VA?
Median rent in Suffolk is $2,028 a month. A typical real estate agent in Virginia earns about $66,892 a year, which makes that rent 36.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Suffolk?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Virginia (~$66,892/yr) supports up to $1,672 a month in rent. Suffolk's current median rent is $2,028/mo, which is $356/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Suffolk?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a real estate agent in Virginia works roughly 63.1 hours a month to cover Suffolk's median rent of $2,028.
Where is rent cheaper than Suffolk for a real estate agent?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Charlottesville ($2,027/mo), Glen Allen ($2,027/mo), Charlottesville ($2,026/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.