Charlottesville

Background Image

Charlottesville, VA

Area Guide

City exudes fierce modern vibe with reverence for the past

Mountain Views Location University Historic World Heritage Sites Arts Theater Culture

Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville combines historical significance with contemporary appeal. As home to the University of Virginia, established by Thomas Jefferson, the city centers around the Downtown Mall, an eight-block outdoor pedestrian area lined with shops and restaurants. The rental market offers diverse options, with average rents ranging from $1,182 for studios to $2,548 for four-bedroom homes, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year increase. Notable areas include the Rugby Road neighborhood near UVA's Grounds, the West Main Street area, and Belmont, each featuring a selection of newer apartment communities and restored historic properties.

The city showcases its heritage through Monticello and the University's Rotunda, both designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate access to Shenandoah National Park and local green spaces like McIntire Park and Riverview Park. Throughout the year, residents enjoy cultural events at the Jefferson Theater and John Paul Jones Arena, along with annual celebrations including the Virginia Film Festival. With convenient access to local farmers' markets and an established arts scene, Charlottesville offers a comfortable living environment that honors its past while embracing contemporary conveniences.

Explore the City

An open-air cafe in Charlottesville

Monticello was designed by Thomas Jefferson

Hiking trail at Monticello

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Charlottesville, VA is $1,269 for a studio, $1,672 for one bedroom, $1,910 for two bedrooms, and $2,249 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Charlottesville has increased by 0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,672/month
727 Sq Ft
House
$2,876/month
1,640 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,774/month
821 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,179/month
1,582 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Charlottesville, VA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Charlottesville, VA is 0.8% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Charlottesville is 6.7% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,269 - $2,250. You can expect to pay 3.0% less for groceries, 2.3% more for utilities, and 6.5% less for transportation.

Compare Cities

$

Transportation

62

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

20

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

51

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Meriwether Lewis Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

343 Students

Virginia L Murray Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

282 Students

Baker-Butler Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

740 Students

Hollymead Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

352 Students

Paul H Cale Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

752 Students

Lakeside Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

513 Students

Jackson P Burley Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

586 Students

Buford Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

581 Students

Leslie H Walton Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

339 Students

Jack Jouett Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

631 Students

Monticello High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,229 Students

Charlottesville High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,359 Students

Albemarle High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,987 Students

Charlottesville Hosp. Ep.

Public

Grades PK-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Virginia Discovery Museum
  • Rivanna Conservation Society
  • Leander McCormick Observatory
  • Ivy Creek Natural Area
  • Monticello

Airports

  • Charlottesville-Albemarle

Top Apartments in Charlottesville

Houses for Rent in Charlottesville

Property Management Companies in Charlottesville, VA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.