ZIP Code · VA

ZIP 23831

Part of Chester, VA

Pop. 39,529·Chesterfield County·123rd most expensive ZIP in Virginia

Median rent (all units)

$1,824/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.5%

vs US Median

-$108

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 23831 · $1,824

More expensive than 51% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,600

1 BR

$1,680

2 BR

$1,840

3 BR

$2,300

4 BR+

$2,840

Research median

$1,840/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

January. Asking rents in ZIP 23831 usually run 1.2% below trend in January and 1.4% above it in July, about $47 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 23831 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of Virginia

Rent in ZIP 23831 changed +1.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 169 Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($95,750) is $2,394 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,300); a 4-bedroom is $2,840.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 23234, 7 miles away, rents for 15% less ($1,559/mo), about $3,200 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 23831. 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

$21,888/yr

At $1,824/mo median

Location

CityChester

StateVA

CountyChesterfield County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.8% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 23831 (Chester, VA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 36.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

39,529

Median income

$95,750

Median age

38.9

Renters

27.9%

Age distribution

23.5%

20.2%

28%

12.8%

15.5%

Under 1823.5%

18–3420.2%

35–5428%

55–6412.8%

65+15.5%

Gender

49.1%

50.9%

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

Race & ethnicity

54%

27.9%

13.2%

White54%

Black27.9%

Hispanic13.2%

Asian2.4%

Other2.4%

Education (25+)

25.5%

32.4%

36.9%

No HS diploma5.1%

HS diploma25.5%

Some college32.4%

Bachelor's+36.9%

Housing tenure

72.1%

27.9%

Owner72.1%

Renter27.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 23831 in Chester, VA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,441 → $1,824

up 26.6%

Income

$83,529 → $95,750

up 14.6%

Population

36,024 → 39,529

up 9.7%

Renter share

26.2% → 27.9%

+1.7 pts

Bachelor's+

35.7% → 36.9%

+1.2 pts

Median age

40.8 → 38.9

-1.9 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 23831 in Chester, VA has climbed from $1,441 to $1,824, a 26.6% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 23831 in Chester, VA now reports about $95,750, up from $83,529 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 9.7% since 2021, moving from about 36,024 residents to roughly 39,529. Renters now make up 27.9% of households, compared with 26.2% five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 23831 in Chester, VA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 23831

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 23831 covers Chester, VA. The median rent here is $1,824/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,680/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,840/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($95,750/yr), ZIP 23831 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 23831?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $73,000/year (about $35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,824/mo in ZIP 23831. The local median household income is $95,750/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 23831?

Rent in ZIP 23831 has risen 1.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2021.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 23831?

Asking rents in ZIP 23831 are usually lowest in January, about 1.2% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1.4% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $47 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 23831 compare to other ZIPs in Virginia?

ZIP 23831 is in the middle among Virginia ZIP codes for rent, ranking #123 of 194 at $1,824/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 23831 changed +1.8%, against a typical +3.4% across the 169 Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks.