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Area Guide

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

VCU makes it real

Urban Downtown VCU

Located on the northwest side of Downtown Richmond not far from a bend in the James River, Virginia Commonwealth University has plenty of bragging rights -- it has one of the best graduate arts programs in the country, it features the top hospital in Richmond (the VCU Medical Center), and is ranked one of the best universities in the nation by US News and World Report. VCU was established in 1838, and its 150-acre campus borders the historic Fan District, a beautiful neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cheer on the VCU Rams, who participate in NCAA Division I's Atlantic 10 Conference. Wear your black and gold to the Stuart C. Siegel Center to cheer on the basketball teams, or to the Diamond for baseball. The Sports Backers Stadium is home to the soccer teams. VCU's basketball and tennis programs are considered its most successful, with the men's basketball team making the Final Four in 2011.

Being an urban campus, you'll find several terrific neighborhoods for your apartment near VCU. Between the university and the river, Oregon Hill is a US Historic District filled with mature trees and beautiful shotgun-style and Victorian houses. Due to its walkability, proximity to campus, and affordable apartments, Oregon Hill is very popular with VCU students. The Fan District is also popular, filled with Queen Anne and Italianate style homes. To be closer to downtown, look on the east side of the university, where you'll find Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward wedged between VCU and Downtown Richmond.

Rent Trends

As of August 2026, the average apartment rent in Richmond, VA is $1,285 for a studio, $1,442 for one bedroom, $1,624 for two bedrooms, and $2,011 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Richmond has increased by 1.3% in the past year.

  • Studio

  • 496 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,285/month

    Average Rent

  • 1 BR

  • 685 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,442/month

    Average Rent

  • 2 BR

  • 954 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,624/month

    Average Rent

  • 3 BR

  • 1,257 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $2,011/month

    Average Rent

Learn More About Virginia Commonwealth University

Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

70 / 100

Good Public Transit

Transit

70 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

60 / 100

Daily Essentials

Supermarket Within a 10 Minute Walk

Groceries

80 / 100

Exceptional Restaurant Variety Nearby

Restaurants

90 / 100

Exceptional Café Variety Nearby

Cafes

90 / 100

Great Variety of Shops Nearby

Shopping

80 / 100

Recreation

Large Amount of Park Space Nearby

Parks

70 / 100

Fair Wellness Amenity Variety Nearby

Wellness

40 / 100

Local Vibe

Vibrant Atmosphere

Vibrancy

70 / 100

Exceptional Nightlife Variety Nearby

Nightlife

100 / 100

Schools

Tuckahoe Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

682 Students

W W Gordon Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

628 Students

Nuckols Farm Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

627 Students

Gayton Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

605 Students

Short Pump Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

545 Students

Franklin Military Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

335 Students

Pocahontas Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

825 Students

Pocahontas Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

825 Students

Moody Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

1,072 Students

Moody Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,072 Students

Richmond Community High

Public

Grades 9-12

200 Students

Open High School

Public

Grades 9-12

174 Students

Franklin Military Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

335 Students

Godwin High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,773 Students

Godwin High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,773 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments Near Virginia Commonwealth University

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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.