{"id":86500,"date":"2025-05-01T14:52:25","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T21:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=86500"},"modified":"2025-05-13T08:55:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T15:55:51","slug":"affordable-places-to-live-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/affordable-places-to-live-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Most Affordable Places to Live in Virginia in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the original 13 colonies, Virginia has a rich history from the Jamestown settlement and living history museums like Colonial Williamsburg, to the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and the beach towns along the coast. If you\u2019re considering living somewhere in Virginia then chances are you also have a budget you\u2019re hoping to stay under in your home or apartment search. When it comes to <\/span>buying a home in Virginia<\/span><\/a> the median home sale price is $443,800.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry if that price doesn\u2019t fit in your budget \u2013 we\u2019ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 11 most affordable places to live in Virginia \u2013 and they all have a median home sale price under $443,800. From <\/span>Hampton<\/span><\/a> to <\/span>Richmond<\/span><\/a>, let\u2019s jump in and see what cities are on the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Roanoke<\/p>\n

Ryan Herron via Getty Images<\/p>\n

#1: Roanoke<\/span><\/h2>\n

Median home price: <\/b>$220,000<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average sale price per square foot: <\/b>$136 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: <\/b>$906 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Median household income:<\/b> $45,664 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Nearest major metro:<\/b> Greensboro, NC (100 miles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Roanoke, VA homes for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Roanoke, VA apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

With a median home sale price of $220,000, Roanoke comes in at number one on our list of most affordable places to live in Virginia. There are about 100,000 residents living in this mid-sized city. If you\u2019re considering moving to Roanoke make sure to stop by the Mill Mountain Star at the top of Mill Mountain Park, explore downtown Roanoke, or visit museums like <\/span>Taubman Museum of Art<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Virginia Museum of Transportation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

#2: Lynchburg<\/span><\/h2>\n

Median home price:<\/b> $257,000<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average sale price per square foot:<\/b> $186<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: <\/b>$894 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Median household income:<\/b> $59,380 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Nearest major metro: <\/b>Roanoke (50 miles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Lynchburg, VA homes for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Lynchburg, VA apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Only slightly more expensive than Roanoke is Lynchburg, the next city on our list. With roughly 79,000 residents in Lynchburg, make sure to visit Riverside Park along the James River and explore the Percival\u2019s Island Natural Area if you\u2019re looking to spend some time outside. You can also check out downtown Lynchburg and the nearby Diamond Hill Historic District and Federal Hill Historic District.<\/span><\/p>\n

#3: Portsmouth<\/span><\/h2>\n

Median home price:<\/b> $265,000<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average sale price per square foot:<\/b> $177<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: <\/b>$1,399<\/span>
\n<\/span>Median household income: <\/b>$53,213 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Nearest major metro:<\/b> Norfolk (3 miles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Portsmouth, VA homes for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Portsmouth, VA apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

About 97,900 people reside in <\/span>Portsmouth<\/span><\/a>. The median home sale price is $265,000 which is about $180K less than the median home sale price in Virginia. If you find yourself moving to the second most affordable city in Virginia, spend an evening outside watching a concert at <\/span>Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion<\/span><\/a> and have a meal at a waterfront restaurant. Make sure to check out the charming Olde Towne Historic District or discover the exhibits at <\/span>Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Newport
DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

#4: Hampton<\/span><\/h2>\n

Median home price: <\/b>$266,500<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average sale price per square foot: <\/b>$186 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: <\/b>$1,518 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Median household income: <\/b>$59,380 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Nearest major metro:<\/b> Norfolk (10 miles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Hampton, VA homes for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Hampton, VA apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Coming in as the fourth best affordable city to live in Virginia is <\/span>Hampton<\/span><\/a>, part of the Hampton Roads Metropolitan area. When living in this city of 137,100 people, you can take a tour of one of the many museums like the <\/span>Virginia Air and Space Center<\/span><\/a>, visit the historic Fort Monroe National Monument, or have a beach day at Buckroe Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n

#5: Newport News<\/span><\/h2>\n

Median home price: <\/b>$290,000<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average sale price per square foot: <\/b>$182<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: <\/b>$1,338 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Median household income:<\/b> $59,380 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Nearest major metro: <\/b>Norfolk (20 miles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Newport News, VA homes for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Newport News, VA apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Another great area to add to your list is Newport News, located just north of Hampton. With 186,200 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life. <\/span>Living in Newport News<\/span><\/a>, you can check out one of the riverfront parks like Victory Landing Park, Huntington Park, or Riverview Farm Park, explore Newport News Park, or visit one of the museums like the <\/span>Virginia Living Museum<\/span><\/a> or the Virginia War Museum.<\/span><\/p>\n

#6: Harrisonburg<\/span><\/h2>\n

Median home price: <\/b>$295,000<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average sale price per square foot: <\/b>$207<\/span>
\n<\/span>Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: <\/b>$1,200<\/span>
\n<\/span>Median household income: <\/b>$49,117 <\/span>
\n<\/span>Nearest major metro: <\/b>Charlottesville (55 miles)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Harrisonburg, VA homes for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Harrisonburg, VA apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Another well-known city is Harrisonburg, where you\u2019ll find the home prices are about $150K less than the state\u2019s average. With roughly 51,800 people calling Harrisonburg home, it\u2019s a great area to consider renting or buying a home this year. Whether you explore the greenery and flowers at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, check out Hillandale Park, or visit downtown Harrisonburg where you\u2019ll find Saturday Harrisonburg Farmers Market, there are many cool things to do and see in this city.<\/span><\/p>\n