County FMR · HUD FY2026

Petersburg city Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Petersburg city, VA - 57% above the US average.

$1,507
1-bedroom FMR
$1,655
2-bedroom FMR
-2.5%
YoY change
+57%
vs US avg

The verdict

Petersburg city is the 38th most expensive of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR.

#38
most expensive of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
+27%
vs the state average
$60,280
income to afford it (30% rule)
-2.5%
YoY, FY2025→2026

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (13.4%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (62.2%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Petersburg city, VA. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Petersburg city, Virginia at $1,507 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,655/mo and a studio is $1,442/mo. This is 57% higher than the national average of $959 and 27% above the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent decreased2.5% from FY 2025 ($1,545), declining against the trend. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $60,280/year based on the 30% affordability rule.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Virginia. Population: 33,261. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+4.8%, Census ACS). That's faster than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Petersburg city

The Petersburg city FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Virginia's housing authorities use it as the baseline for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. See how FMR is calculated for the full 40th-percentile methodology and payment-standard rules.

Petersburg city's 1-bedroom rent runs 57% above the US average of $959 and 27% higher than the Virginia state average of $1,182. Over the past year, 1-bedroom rent here shifted from$1,545 in FY 2025 to $1,507 in FY 2026 - a change of -2.5%, which is unusual and suggests softening demand or revised HUD sampling.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,507, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $60,280 per year (about $5,023/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,655 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 33,261 and a county median household income of $50,741, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$1,442/mo
↓ 3.1% YoY +27% vs state +61% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$1,507/mo
↓ 2.5% YoY +27% vs state +57% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$1,655/mo
↓ 3.3% YoY +21% vs state +41% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$2,072/mo
↓ 4.3% YoY +16% vs state +36% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$2,553/mo
↓ 4.6% YoY +20% vs state +45% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,488
$1,442
$-46 (-3.1%)
1 Bedroom $1,545
$1,507
$-38 (-2.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,711
$1,655
$-56 (-3.3%)
3 Bedroom $2,166
$2,072
$-94 (-4.3%)
4 Bedroom $2,677
$2,553
$-124 (-4.6%)

Affordability Snapshot

Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:

Required annual income for 1 BR
$60,280
$5,023/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$66,200
$5,517/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Petersburg city. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
34.1%
Burdened
Need $57,680/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
35.6%
Burdened
Need $60,280/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
39.1%
Burdened
Need $66,200/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
49%
Burdened
Need $82,880/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
60.4%
Severe
Need $102,120/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

Petersburg city 2-bedroom rent burden

0%100%National avg22%39.1%
Petersburg city 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $50,741 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Petersburg city sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,655 Top 12% higher than 88% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Below this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Below this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). This entry sits in this band. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Petersburg city compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Petersburg city is highlighted. Nearby Virginia counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Fairfax County ($2,015), Prince William County ($2,015), Loudoun County ($2,015), Virginia Beach city ($1,512), Petersburg city (this county) ($1,507), Chesterfield County ($1,507), Henrico County ($1,507).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,507/mo compares to Virginia salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation VA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $134,470 13.4% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 14.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 20.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 21.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 27.8% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 29% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 29.4% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 29.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 33.2% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 42.6% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 46.1% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $36,650 49.3% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 53.2% Unaffordable
Retail Salespersons $32,760 55.2% Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 62.2% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Petersburg city. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Petersburg city (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 61.7% overall, from $932 to $1,507. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +15.4% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$800$1,000$1,200$1,400$1,600 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,507
Petersburg city 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓2.5% $1,442 $1,507 $1,655
FY 2025 ↑13.2% $1,488 $1,545 $1,711
FY 2024 ↑15.4% $1,328 $1,365 $1,532
FY 2023 ↑13.3% $1,157 $1,183 $1,336
FY 2022 ↑2.4% $1,022 $1,044 $1,189
FY 2021 ↑9.4% $993 $1,020 $1,163
FY 2020 $899 $932 $1,061
Total change (6yr): +61.7%
Annualized: +8.3%/yr
1 BR: $932 → $1,507

Part of the Richmond, VA Metro Area

Petersburg city is a central county of the Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area, alongside 16 other metro-area counties.

Petersburg city ranks #16 of 17 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Chesterfield County ($1,507), Henrico County ($1,507), Richmond city ($1,507), Hanover County ($1,507), Prince George County ($1,507), Powhatan County ($1,507), Dinwiddie County ($1,507), Goochland County ($1,507), New Kent County ($1,507), Hopewell city ($1,507), Colonial Heights city ($1,507), King William County ($1,507), Amelia County ($1,507), Sussex County ($1,507), Charles City County ($1,507), Petersburg city (this county) ($1,507), King and Queen County ($1,139).

Chesterfield County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Henrico County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Richmond city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Hanover County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Prince George County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Powhatan County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Dinwiddie County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Goochland County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
New Kent County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Hopewell city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Colonial Heights city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
King William County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Petersburg city (this county)
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Show all 17 counties in this metro area
Amelia County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Sussex County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Charles City County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
King and Queen County
1 BR: $1,139/mo

Nearby Counties in Virginia

Largest counties by population in Virginia

Fairfax County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 1,145,354
Prince William County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 481,114
Virginia Beach city
1 BR: $1,512/mo Pop: 457,900
Loudoun County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 420,773
Chesterfield County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 366,019
Henrico County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 333,120
Chesapeake city
1 BR: $1,512/mo Pop: 249,377
Norfolk city
1 BR: $1,512/mo Pop: 236,973
View all counties in Virginia →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Petersburg city? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Petersburg city is $1,507 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,655 and a studio is $1,442.
How does Petersburg city rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Petersburg city is 57% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,507 compared to $959 nationally.
What income do I need to afford rent in Petersburg city? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $60,280 ($5,023/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Petersburg city.
Is rent going up or down in Petersburg city? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Petersburg city decreased by 2.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,545 to $1,507.
Which jobs can afford rent in Petersburg city? ▼
Based on Virginia BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,507/mo. 8 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Petersburg city over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Petersburg city went from $932 in FY 2020 to $1,507 in FY 2026, a total change of +61.7% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Petersburg city? ▼
In Petersburg city, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,507/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Petersburg city? ▼
For Petersburg city, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,507/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Petersburg city's FY2026 Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a market quote.

  • Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,507 implies about $60,280/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
  • Compare this county against nearby metros and states before signing a lease. Compare areas
  • See where it sits on the national rent map. View rankings

Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. Actual asking rents in Petersburg city can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This page is informational and not financial or relocation advice.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.