State FMR profile · HUD FY2026

Fair Market Rents in Virginia

The average 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent across Virginia is $1,182/mo — 23% above the US average.

$1,182
Avg 1BR FMR
133
Counties
8
Metro areas

The verdict

Virginia's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent averages $1,369 — 17% above the US average, the 21st highest of 51 states.

#21
most expensive of 51 states (2BR)
+17%
vs the US 2-bedroom average
$54,760
income to afford it (30% rule)
189%
gap, cheapest→priciest county

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for 133 counties and 8 metro areas in VA. Verify with HUD →

What these rents mean for Virginia

Across Virginia's 133 counties and 8 metro areas, HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rents average $1,137 for a studio, $1,182 for a 1-bedroom, $1,369 for a 2-bedroom, $1,789 for a 3-bedroom, and $2,128 for a 4-bedroom. FMR is set at the county or metro FMR area level — not statewide — so the numbers above are the arithmetic average of every FMR area inside VA, weighted equally. Local housing authorities use each county's or metro's FMR (not the state average) to calibrate Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards, typically ranging from 90% to 110% of FMR.

Benchmarked against the rest of the country, Virginia's average 1-bedroom FMR of $1,182 is 23% above the US average of $959. Inside the state, rents are not uniform — the cheapest 1-bedroom FMR is in Charlotte County at $697, while the most expensive is in Stafford County at $2,015, a spread of roughly 189% between the lowest- and highest-cost counties. That intra-state dispersion is why urban voucher recipients, families relocating for jobs, and landlords setting Section 8 rents all need to check the specific FMR area rather than rely on a statewide figure.

For affordability, the 30% rule implies a household income of $47,280 per year (about $3,940/month) to afford Virginia's average 1-bedroom at $1,182. The ratio of FMR to local wages determines how many households are rent-burdened. Pair these rent figures with Virginia's rent burden rankings and year-over-year rent growth pages to see which counties are tightening fastest and which remain comparatively affordable.

Where Virginia sits among all 50 states + DC

Average 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. every US state

$1,369 Top 41% higher than 59% of 51 states

$900–$1,000: 11 states (22%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,100: 7 states (14%). Below this entry. $1,100–$1,200: 8 states (16%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,300: 2 states (4%). Below this entry. $1,300–$1,400: 3 states (6%). This entry sits in this band. $1,400–$1,500: 8 states (16%). Above this entry. $1,500–$1,600: 3 states (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,700: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,700–$1,800: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,800–$1,900: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $1,900–$2,000: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,100: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,100–$2,200: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,300: 2 states (4%). Above this entry. $2,300–$2,400: 0 states (0%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,500: 1 states (2%). Above this entry. VA $900 $2,500 every US state, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.1K-wide band; taller bars hold more states. 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

State Average vs National Average

Studio
$1,137
+27% vs US avg
1 BR
$1,182
+23% vs US avg
2 BR
$1,369
+17% vs US avg
3 BR
$1,789
+17% vs US avg
4 BR
$2,128
+21% vs US avg

Most expensive counties in Virginia by 1-bedroom FMR

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent — the highest-cost 10 of 133 VA counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Inside VA, 1-bedroom FMR runs from $697 in Charlotte County to $2,015 in Stafford County.

Source HUD Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data As of FY2026

Cheapest Counties

Lowest FMR rental costs →

Most Expensive Counties

Highest FMR rental costs →

Rent Burden

% of income spent on rent →

Rent Growth

YoY rent trends by county →

Metro areas in Virginia

Each metro FMR area applies one rent schedule across all its counties, ranked here by 1-bedroom FMR.

# Metro area Studio1 BR2 BR3 BR4 BR
1 Charlottesville, VA MSA $1,421$1,602$1,824$2,218$2,731
2 Richmond, VA HUD Metro FMR Area $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
3 Winchester, VA-WV MSA $1,133$1,255$1,573$1,965$2,639
4 Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA MSA $1,088$1,095$1,261$1,734$1,941
5 Harrisonburg, VA MSA $1,050$1,057$1,322$1,801$2,125
6 Roanoke, VA HUD Metro FMR Area $1,004$1,053$1,254$1,743$2,104
7 Lynchburg, VA MSA $1,027$1,033$1,187$1,635$1,750
8 Floyd County, VA HUD Metro FMR Area $830$834$1,094$1,312$1,448

Counties in Virginia, ranked by rent (133)

All 133 counties with a published FY2026 Fair Market Rent, highest 1-bedroom first.

# County Studio1 BR2 BR3 BR4 BR
1 Alexandria city $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
2 Arlington County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
3 Clarke County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
4 Fairfax County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
5 Fairfax city $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
6 Falls Church city $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
7 Fauquier County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
8 Fredericksburg city $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
9 Loudoun County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
10 Manassas Park city $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
11 Manassas city $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
12 Prince William County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
13 Spotsylvania County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
14 Stafford County $1,953$2,015$2,246$2,835$3,332
15 Albemarle County $1,421$1,602$1,824$2,218$2,731
16 Charlottesville city $1,421$1,602$1,824$2,218$2,731
17 Fluvanna County $1,421$1,602$1,824$2,218$2,731
18 Greene County $1,421$1,602$1,824$2,218$2,731
19 Nelson County $1,421$1,602$1,824$2,218$2,731
20 Chesapeake city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
21 Gloucester County $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
22 Hampton city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
23 Isle of Wight County $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
24 James City County $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
25 Mathews County $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
26 Newport News city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
27 Norfolk city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
28 Poquoson city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
29 Portsmouth city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
30 Suffolk city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
31 Virginia Beach city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
32 Williamsburg city $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
33 York County $1,492$1,512$1,713$2,376$2,797
34 Amelia County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
35 Charles City County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
36 Chesterfield County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
37 Colonial Heights city $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
38 Dinwiddie County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
39 Goochland County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
40 Hanover County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
41 Henrico County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
42 Hopewell city $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
43 King William County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
44 New Kent County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
45 Petersburg city $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
46 Powhatan County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
47 Prince George County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
48 Richmond city $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
49 Sussex County $1,442$1,507$1,655$2,072$2,553
50 Frederick County $1,133$1,255$1,573$1,965$2,639
51 Winchester city $1,133$1,255$1,573$1,965$2,639
52 Rappahannock County $1,198$1,254$1,375$1,649$2,307
53 King George County $1,182$1,211$1,469$2,043$2,464
54 Culpeper County $1,149$1,170$1,423$1,978$2,007
55 King and Queen County $1,089$1,139$1,250$1,536$1,929
56 Louisa County $1,080$1,138$1,247$1,734$1,950
57 Augusta County $1,088$1,095$1,261$1,734$1,941
58 Staunton city $1,088$1,095$1,261$1,734$1,941
59 Waynesboro city $1,088$1,095$1,261$1,734$1,941
60 Northumberland County $1,066$1,073$1,309$1,569$2,047
61 Middlesex County $1,052$1,058$1,291$1,548$2,018
62 Harrisonburg city $1,050$1,057$1,322$1,801$2,125
63 Rockingham County $1,050$1,057$1,322$1,801$2,125
64 Botetourt County $1,004$1,053$1,254$1,743$2,104
65 Craig County $1,004$1,053$1,254$1,743$2,104
66 Roanoke County $1,004$1,053$1,254$1,743$2,104
67 Roanoke city $1,004$1,053$1,254$1,743$2,104
68 Salem city $1,004$1,053$1,254$1,743$2,104
69 Amherst County $1,027$1,033$1,187$1,635$1,750
70 Appomattox County $1,027$1,033$1,187$1,635$1,750
71 Bedford County $1,027$1,033$1,187$1,635$1,750
72 Campbell County $1,027$1,033$1,187$1,635$1,750
73 Lynchburg city $1,027$1,033$1,187$1,635$1,750
74 Caroline County $859$1,021$1,246$1,733$2,090
75 Orange County $1,005$1,012$1,234$1,716$1,929
76 Warren County $953$1,002$1,315$1,754$2,206
77 Montgomery County $910$993$1,271$1,706$2,132
78 Radford city $910$993$1,271$1,706$2,132
79 Westmoreland County $973$979$1,194$1,658$1,810
80 Madison County $923$971$1,066$1,483$1,667
81 Prince Edward County $916$922$1,094$1,312$1,448
82 Surry County $905$920$1,039$1,445$1,743
83 Buena Vista city $870$917$1,005$1,398$1,686
84 Lexington city $870$917$1,005$1,398$1,686
85 Rockbridge County $870$917$1,005$1,398$1,686
86 Essex County $907$912$1,113$1,341$1,556
87 Giles County $746$898$984$1,180$1,651
88 Richmond County $876$882$1,157$1,464$1,825
89 Buckingham County $830$875$959$1,266$1,419
90 Lancaster County $857$862$1,052$1,463$1,765
91 Franklin County $771$861$944$1,313$1,584
92 Accomack County $740$856$1,054$1,367$1,549
93 Shenandoah County $849$855$1,091$1,394$1,523
94 Pulaski County $699$840$921$1,252$1,545
95 Buchanan County $792$834$914$1,271$1,494
96 Floyd County $830$834$1,094$1,312$1,448
97 Grayson County $792$834$914$1,241$1,252
98 Halifax County $792$827$914$1,167$1,340
99 Bristol city $720$818$1,044$1,338$1,464
100 Scott County $720$818$1,044$1,338$1,464
101 Washington County $720$818$1,044$1,338$1,464
102 Cumberland County $812$817$997$1,195$1,673
103 Franklin city $811$817$1,051$1,346$1,764
104 Southampton County $811$817$1,051$1,346$1,764
105 Page County $800$811$924$1,157$1,550
106 Bath County $796$801$977$1,171$1,528
107 Alleghany County $773$778$914$1,259$1,358
108 Covington city $773$778$914$1,259$1,358
109 Carroll County $765$770$914$1,271$1,481
110 Galax city $765$770$914$1,271$1,481
111 Emporia city $764$769$1,001$1,392$1,679
112 Greensville County $764$769$1,001$1,392$1,679
113 Patrick County $758$763$914$1,146$1,429
114 Wythe County $758$762$914$1,212$1,533
115 Henry County $749$753$914$1,096$1,282
116 Martinsville city $749$753$914$1,096$1,282
117 Smyth County $642$753$914$1,191$1,429
118 Bland County $745$749$914$1,271$1,429
119 Brunswick County $745$749$914$1,271$1,389
120 Dickenson County $745$749$914$1,096$1,346
121 Highland County $745$749$914$1,233$1,429
122 Russell County $744$748$914$1,156$1,377
123 Nottoway County $738$743$975$1,356$1,587
124 Danville city $630$738$914$1,263$1,415
125 Pittsylvania County $630$738$914$1,263$1,415
126 Tazewell County $727$732$914$1,096$1,252
127 Mecklenburg County $719$724$950$1,224$1,258
128 Northampton County $719$723$949$1,320$1,592
129 Charlotte County $692$697$914$1,146$1,533
130 Lee County $693$697$914$1,226$1,429
131 Lunenburg County $692$697$914$1,127$1,254
132 Norton city $692$697$914$1,205$1,429
133 Wise County $692$697$914$1,205$1,429

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Virginia?
The average FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Virginia is $1,182 per month. A 2-bedroom averages $1,369.
How does Virginia rent compare to the national average?
Virginia rents are 23% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here averages $1,182 vs $959 nationally.
Where is the cheapest rent in Virginia?
The most affordable county is Charlotte County with a 1-bedroom FMR of $697. The most expensive is Stafford County at $2,015.
What income do I need to afford rent in Virginia?
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need at least $47,280/year ($3,940/month) to afford the average 1-bedroom FMR in Virginia.

Explore Virginia rent data

Data sourced from HUD Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. See our methodology for details. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rent data (huduser.gov).