Where rent has outpaced income in Virginia since 2019

Virginia cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Woodbridge ranks first, with rent up 33.4% against household income up -7.4% since 2019.
Across all 32 cities on this list, the median rent is $2,174/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same 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

32 cities

Rank	City	Gap (points)	Rent since 2019	Income since 2019	Median rent
01	WoodbridgeVA Pop. 44KCompare →	+40.7	+33.4%	-7.4%	$2,174/mo
02	PortsmouthVA Pop. 97KCompare →	+27.1	+43.1%	+15.9%	$1,642/mo
03	HamptonVA Pop. 138KCompare →	+23.0	+46.7%	+23.7%	$1,690/mo
04	RoanokeVA Pop. 98KCompare →	+22.6	+47.9%	+25.2%	$1,368/mo
05	PetersburgVA Pop. 34KCompare →	+21.7	+52.8%	+31.1%	$1,373/mo
06	LynchburgVA Pop. 79KCompare →	+21.3	+46.2%	+24.9%	$1,270/mo
07	Virginia BeachVA Pop. 456KCompare →	+19.5	+40.8%	+21.4%	$2,098/mo
08	SuffolkVA Pop. 99KCompare →	+17.5	+41.3%	+23.7%	$2,028/mo
09	Newport NewsVA Pop. 184KCompare →	+16.7	+47.5%	+30.9%	$1,593/mo
10	ChesapeakeVA Pop. 253KCompare →	+16.4	+37.6%	+21.3%	$2,063/mo
11	CentrevilleVA Pop. 72KCompare →	+15.6	+33.7%	+18.1%	$2,396/mo
12	ChantillyVA Pop. 24KCompare →	+14.1	+39.8%	+25.8%	$3,108/mo
13	AshburnVA Pop. 46KCompare →	+13.6	+30.7%	+17.1%	$2,934/mo
14	NorfolkVA Pop. 234KCompare →	+13.4	+41.6%	+28.1%	$1,749/mo
15	Glen AllenVA Pop. 18KCompare →	+12.2	+35.1%	+22.9%	$2,022/mo
16	FairfaxVA Pop. 25KCompare →	+11.9	+25.0%	+13.1%	$2,456/mo
17	FredericksburgVA Pop. 29KCompare →	+10.3	+41.4%	+31.1%	$2,061/mo
18	CharlottesvilleVA Pop. 45KCompare →	+9.6	+35.4%	+25.8%	$2,029/mo
19	LeesburgVA Pop. 49KCompare →	+9.1	+36.0%	+26.9%	$2,431/mo
20	AnnandaleVA Pop. 42KCompare →	+9.0	+29.4%	+20.4%	$2,482/mo
21	WilliamsburgVA Pop. 16KCompare →	+8.7	+40.3%	+31.6%	$2,094/mo
22	SterlingVA Pop. 32KCompare →	+8.0	+34.2%	+26.3%	$2,560/mo
23	SpringfieldVA Pop. 31KCompare →	+5.8	+29.5%	+23.8%	$3,052/mo
24	AlexandriaVA Pop. 157KCompare →	+4.0	+22.6%	+18.6%	$2,275/mo
25	LortonVA Pop. 21KCompare →	+2.8	+32.6%	+29.8%	$2,562/mo
26	McLeanVA Pop. 50KCompare →	+0.5	+21.2%	+20.7%	$2,732/mo
27	RestonVA Pop. 64KCompare →	+0.5	+24.0%	+23.5%	$2,589/mo
28	RichmondVA Pop. 229KCompare →	+0.4	+37.1%	+36.7%	$1,628/mo
29	ArlingtonVA Pop. 236KCompare →	-0.3	+18.0%	+18.4%	$2,680/mo
30	ManassasVA Pop. 43KCompare →	-4.4	+34.9%	+39.4%	$2,135/mo
31	HerndonVA Pop. 25KCompare →	-5.8	+27.1%	+32.9%	$2,382/mo
32	ViennaVA Pop. 16KCompare →	-10.0	+24.6%	+34.6%	$3,320/mo