Biggest seasonal rent swings in Virginia

How far typical asking rents move between the cheapest and priciest month in Virginia cities, from at least five years of Zillow data. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Chester ranks first, with a swing of 3.4% between January and August.
Across all 36 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,115/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Gap between the cheapest and priciest calendar month, from Zillow's unadjusted and seasonally adjusted rent indexes over five or more years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

36 cities

Rank	City	Yearly swing	Cheapest month	Priciest month	Median rent
01	ChesterVA Pop. 24KCompare →	3.4%	January	August	$1,829/mo
02	Manassas ParkVA Pop. 17KCompare →	3.1%	February	September	$2,115/mo
03	SterlingVA Pop. 32KCompare →	3.0%	January	July	$2,560/mo
04	ArlingtonVA Pop. 236KCompare →	2.9%	January	August	$2,680/mo
05	LortonVA Pop. 21KCompare →	2.8%	January	August	$2,562/mo
06	FairfaxVA Pop. 25KCompare →	2.7%	December	July	$2,456/mo
07	HarrisonburgVA Pop. 51KCompare →	2.6%	November	May	$1,720/mo
08	AshburnVA Pop. 46KCompare →	2.5%	February	July	$2,934/mo
09	RestonVA Pop. 64KCompare →	2.5%	January	July	$2,589/mo
10	LeesburgVA Pop. 49KCompare →	2.5%	December	July	$2,431/mo
11	HerndonVA Pop. 25KCompare →	2.4%	December	July	$2,382/mo
12	ViennaVA Pop. 16KCompare →	2.3%	January	July	$3,320/mo
13	SpringfieldVA Pop. 31KCompare →	2.3%	November	August	$3,052/mo
14	WoodbridgeVA Pop. 44KCompare →	2.3%	December	August	$2,174/mo
15	MidlothianVA Pop. 19KCompare →	2.2%	January	July	$2,028/mo
16	McLeanVA Pop. 50KCompare →	2.1%	December	June	$2,732/mo
17	CentrevilleVA Pop. 72KCompare →	2.1%	January	June	$2,396/mo
18	AlexandriaVA Pop. 157KCompare →	2.0%	December	July	$2,275/mo
19	RoanokeVA Pop. 98KCompare →	1.9%	January	August	$1,368/mo
20	Glen AllenVA Pop. 18KCompare →	1.8%	December	July	$2,022/mo
21	HamptonVA Pop. 138KCompare →	1.8%	February	August	$1,690/mo
22	Virginia BeachVA Pop. 456KCompare →	1.7%	December	August	$2,098/mo
23	RichmondVA Pop. 229KCompare →	1.7%	December	July	$1,628/mo
24	PetersburgVA Pop. 34KCompare →	1.7%	November	August	$1,373/mo
25	ChantillyVA Pop. 24KCompare →	1.6%	April	August	$3,108/mo
26	LynchburgVA Pop. 79KCompare →	1.6%	October	May	$1,270/mo
27	ManassasVA Pop. 43KCompare →	1.5%	January	August	$2,135/mo
28	WilliamsburgVA Pop. 16KCompare →	1.5%	January	June	$2,094/mo
29	FredericksburgVA Pop. 29KCompare →	1.5%	December	July	$2,061/mo
30	CharlottesvilleVA Pop. 45KCompare →	1.5%	January	July	$2,029/mo
31	AnnandaleVA Pop. 42KCompare →	1.3%	October	July	$2,482/mo
32	ChesapeakeVA Pop. 253KCompare →	1.3%	December	July	$2,063/mo
33	Newport NewsVA Pop. 184KCompare →	1.2%	January	May	$1,593/mo
34	SuffolkVA Pop. 99KCompare →	0.9%	January	September	$2,028/mo
35	PortsmouthVA Pop. 97KCompare →	0.8%	January	June	$1,642/mo
36	NorfolkVA Pop. 234KCompare →	0.7%	March	August	$1,749/mo