An open-air cafe in Charlottesville
Monticello was designed by Thomas Jefferson
Hiking trail at Monticello

Charlottesville, VA Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,738

Population

44,822

Renter Mix

62% Rent

City exudes fierce modern vibe with reverence for the past

Mountain Views Location University

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.

Popular Neighborhoods

Explore the City

An open-air cafe in Charlottesville

Monticello was designed by Thomas Jefferson

Hiking trail at Monticello

Demographics

Median Household Income

$67,600

Average: $98,906

Education

20,577

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

22,694

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

31 Years

Largest Age Group

20-29 Years

Approximately 25% of Residents

Under 20

22%

Over 65

12%

Housing Distribution

Charlottesville has more renters than homeowners.

Renters
62%
Non-Renters
38%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
39%
Other Education
61%

Rent Trends

As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Charlottesville, VA is $1,338 for a studio, $1,740 for one bedroom, $1,981 for two bedrooms, and $2,620 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Charlottesville has increased by 1.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,740/month
726 Sq Ft
House
$3,237/month
1,649 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,944/month
1,031 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,315/month
1,614 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Charlottesville, VA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Charlottesville, VA is 0.2% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Charlottesville is 3.3% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,338 - $2,620. You can expect to pay 1.6% less for groceries, 2.5% more for utilities, and 6.3% less for transportation.

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Learn More About Charlottesville

Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

70 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Meriwether Lewis Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

358 Students

Stone Robinson Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

476 Students

Hollymead Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

452 Students

Meriwether Lewis Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

343 Students

Burnley-Moran Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

299 Students

Lakeside Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

575 Students

Community Lab School

Public

Grades 6-12

192 Students

Jackson P Burley Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

535 Students

Jackson P Burley Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

586 Students

Buford Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

581 Students

Monticello High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,229 Students

Monticello High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,229 Students

Community Lab School

Public

Grades 6-12

192 Students

Charlottesville High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,359 Students

Charlottesville High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,359 Students

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

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 June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.