ZIP Code · VA

ZIP 23188

Pop. 45,803·James City County·74th most expensive ZIP in Virginia
Median rent (all units)
$2,148/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.8%
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
+$216
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 23188 · $2,148
More expensive than 68% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,580
1 BR
$1,600
2 BR
$1,810
3 BR
$2,510
4 BR+
$2,960
Research median
$1,810/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Cheapest month to sign

March. Asking rents in ZIP 23188 usually run 0.5% below trend in March and 0.8% above it in August, about $28 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 23188 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.

Past year vs. the rest of Virginia

Rent in ZIP 23188 changed +7.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 169 Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.

Rent vs. income since 2019

From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 23188 rose 38.4% while median household income rose 20.1% ($85,899 to $103,160). Rent outpaced income.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 23188 is 51.9% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($103,160) is $2,579 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,510); a 4-bedroom is $2,960.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 23188. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$25,776/yr
At $2,148/mo median
Location
StateVA
CountyJames City County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 23188 (Williamsburg, VA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
45,803
Median income
$103,160
Median age
49.5
Renters
26.6%
Age distribution
18.9%
15.8%
21.7%
13.9%
29.7%
Under 1818.9%
18–3415.8%
35–5421.7%
55–6413.9%
65+29.7%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
73.2%
White73.2%
Black11.6%
Hispanic6.3%
Asian3.6%
Other5.3%
Education (25+)
18.6%
26.1%
51.3%
No HS diploma4%
HS diploma18.6%
Some college26.1%
Bachelor's+51.3%
Housing tenure
73.4%
26.6%
Owner73.4%
Renter26.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 23188 in Williamsburg, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,485 → $2,148
up 44.6%
Income
$91,911 → $103,160
up 12.2%
Population
43,847 → 45,803
up 4.5%
Renter share
26.3% → 26.6%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
49.7% → 51.3%
+1.6 pts
Median age
47.9 → 49.5
+1.6 yrs

Rent in ZIP 23188 in Williamsburg, VA has increased 44.6% since 2021, going from about $1,485 per month to roughly $2,148 today. Household income in the area moved from $91,911 to $103,160 across the same window, up 12.2% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 32.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 43,847 to 45,803 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.5% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 23188 in Williamsburg, VA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 23188

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 23188 covers Williamsburg, VA. The median rent here is $2,148/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,600/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,810/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($103,160/yr), ZIP 23188 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 23188?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (about $41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,148/mo in ZIP 23188. The local median household income is $103,160/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 23188?

Rent in ZIP 23188 has risen 7.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 23188?

Asking rents in ZIP 23188 are usually lowest in March, about 0.5% below their yearly trend, and highest in August, about 0.8% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $28 a month. This pattern comes from 11 years of Zillow rent data.

Has rent outpaced income in ZIP 23188?

Yes. From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 23188 rose 38.4% while median household income rose 20.1%, from $85,899 to $103,160. Rent is Zillow's yearly average; income is the Census 5-year estimate for the same years.

How does ZIP 23188 compare to other ZIPs in Virginia?

ZIP 23188 is in the middle among Virginia ZIP codes for rent, ranking #74 of 194 at $2,148/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 23188 changed +7.8%, against a typical +3.4% across the 169 Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks.

How does ZIP 23188 compare to the rest of Williamsburg?

At $2,148/mo, ZIP 23188 is $54 above the Williamsburg citywide median of $2,094/mo.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,148/mo, rent takes ~25% of ZIP 23188's median household income ($103,160/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 23188 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 23188 (Williamsburg, VA)

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