One of the original 13 colonies, Virginia has a rich history in Jamestown settlements and living historical museums like colonial Williamsburg, as well as picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and coastal beach towns. If you are considering living somewhere in Virginia, you may also have a budget that you want to stay in searching for your home or apartment. When it comes to buying a home in Virginia, the median home selling price is $443,800.
Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget. We have options that will help you find a home or apartment to do so. Redfin has compiled a list of 11 most affordable locations to live in Virginia. They all have a median home selling price of less than $443,800. Dive in from Hampton to Richmond and take a look at the cities on your list.
Ryan Heron via Getty Images
#1: Roanoke
Median home price: $220,000
Average selling price per square foot: $136
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $906
Median household income: $45,664
Nearest Major Metro: Greensboro, North Carolina (100 miles)
Roanoke, Virginia sales
Apartments for Roanoke, VA apartments
The median home sale price is $220,000, making Roanoke number one on the list of the most affordable locations in Virginia. This medium-sized city has around 100,000 residents. If you’re considering moving to Roanoke, stop by Mill Mountain Star on the top of Mill Mountain Park, explore downtown Roanoke, or visit museums such as the Taubman Museum and the Virginia Museum of Museum.
#2: Lynchburg
Median home price: $257,000
Average selling price per square foot: $186
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $894
Median household income: $59,380
Nearest Major Metro: Roanoke (50 miles)
Home Sale in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, VA apartments
Slightly more expensive than Roanoke is Lynchburg, the next city on our list. With Lynchburg’s approximately 79,000 residents, visit Riverside Park along the James River and explore the natural areas of Percival Island if you want to spend some time outside. You can also check out the Historic District of Downtown Lynchburg and nearby Diamond Hill and the Federal Hill Historic District.
#3: Portsmouth
Median home price: $265,000
Average selling price per square foot: $177
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,399
Median household income: $53,213
Nearest Major Metro: Norfolk (3 miles)
Home for Sale Portsmouth Virginia
Portsmouth, VA apartments
Approximately 97,900 people live in Portsmouth. The median home selling price is $265,000, about $180,000 less than the median home selling price in Virginia. If you’ve moved to Virginia’s second most affordable city, spend the evening watching a concert at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion and dine at the waterfront restaurant. Check out the charming Old Town historic centres and discover exhibits at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum.
Denistangneyjr via Getty Images
#4: Hampton
Median home price: $266,500
Average selling price per square foot: $186
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,518
Median household income: $59,380
Nearest Major Metro: Norfolk (10 miles)
Hampton, Virginia home sale
Hampton, VA apartments
The fourth most affordable city to live in Virginia is Hampton, part of the Hampton Road Metropolitan Area. When you live in this city of 137,100 people, you can tour one of the many museums, such as Virginia Airlines and Space Center, visit the historic Fort Monroe National Monument, or spend a beach day at Bucklow Beach.
#5: Newport News
Median home price: $290,000
Average selling price per square foot: $182
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,338
Median household income: $59,380
Nearest Major Metro: Norfolk (20 miles)
Newport News, VA Homes For Sale
Newport News, VA Apartments Rental
Another great area to add to your list is Newport News, located just north of Hampton. Traveling to this affordable city with 186,200 residents will give you the perks of urban living. As I live in Newport News, you can check out one of the Riverfront Parks, such as Victory Landing Park, Huntington Park, and Riverview Farm Park, explore Newport News Park, and visit museums such as the Virginia Living Museum and the Virginia War Museum.
#6: Harrisonburg
Median home price: $295,000
Average selling price per square foot: $207
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,200
Median household income: $49,117
Nearest Major Metro: Charlottesville (55 miles)
Home for Sale in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg, VA apartments
Another well-known city is Harrisonburg, where home prices are found to be around $150,000 less than the state average. With around 51,800 people calling Harrisonburg to their home, this year it’s a great area to consider renting or buying a home. Whether you’re looking for greenery and flowers at the Edith J. Career Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, check out Hilladale Park, visiting downtown Harrisonburg, or finding the Harrisonburg Farmers Market on Saturday, there’s a lot of cool things to do in the city.
#7: Norfolk
Median home price: $310,000
Average selling price per square foot: $211
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,418
Median household income: $60,998
Home for Sale in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, VA apartments
Home to around 230,900, Norfolk is a popular city to consider calling your home. The location along the Chesapeake Bay means there are fantastic views over the waterfront. The city is best known for its Naval Bureau Norfolk, but there is much to explore in the area. For example, you can visit the Chrysler Museum and Hermitage Museum and Gardens, check out the exhibits at the Virginia Zoo, explore downtown Norfolk, and discover many concert venues, historic homes and hidden gems. Don’t miss visiting First Landing State Park, there is the Henry Cape Lighthouse, the first landing beach and plenty of hiking trails.
#8: Chesapeake
Median home price: $365,000
Average selling price per square foot: $213
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,327
Median household income: $92,703
Chesapeake, Virginia home sale
Chesapeake, VA Apartments
Just south of Norfolk is on the Chesapeake, home to around 253,800 residents. Chesapeake home prices are around 80k less than the state average, so you can still save a lot. As Virginia’s second most populous city, Chesapeake has plenty of exploration. For example, you can enjoy the outdoors in one of many green spaces, including the Great Demal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Cavalier Wildlife Management Area and North West River Park. You can also check out hidden gems in the city, such as Mount Pleasant Farm, Oak Grobreak Park and Chesapeake Arboretum.
#9: Richmond
Median home price: $386,750
Average selling price per square foot: $252
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,514
Median household income: $51,421
Homes in Richmond, Virginia
Apartments for Richmond, VA apartments
The ninth place on the list of the most affordable places to live in Virginia is Richmond. Nearly 226,600 residents call this affordable city a home. Visit historic sites, neighborhoods and museums, including the Maymont Mansion, the American Civil War Museum and the historic centre of Bird Park Court. You can also check out Bell Isle, stop by the Virginia State Capitol building, and watch concerts at the National where he lived in Richmond.
>>Read: Popular Richmond, Virginia, Neighborhood
#10: Suffolk
Median home price: $387,505
Average selling price per square foot: $196
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,560
Median household income: $81,883
Nearest Major Metro: Norfolk (20 miles)
Home Sale in Suffolk, Virginia
Apartments for Suffolk, VA apartments
The 10th most affordable place to live in Virginia is Suffolk. With a population of nearly 94,300, living in Suffolk is a great option for those looking for a medium-sized city. Don’t miss out on a ride, walk through Bennett’s Creek Park, enjoy river views at Sleepy Hall Park, and check out the art galleries, restaurants and museums in the heart of Suffolk.
#11: Virginia Beach
Median home price: $399,950
Average selling price per square foot: $231
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,637
Median household income: $87,544
Virginia Beach, Virginia Homes for Sale
Virginia Beach, Virginia Apartments
The 11th final city on our list is nothing but Virginia Beach. With around 453,600 residents, Virginia Beach is the most populous region in the state. Virginia Beach is home to plenty of waterfront activities, including enjoying the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, fishing at the iconic Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, visiting Neptune Park, and hiking at First Landing State Park. Don’t miss visiting museums like the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, sampling local restaurants and cafes, or dropping by the quaint Hunt Club Farm.
>> READ: Popular Virginia Beach, Virginia, Neighborhood
Methodology: Every city must have more than 50,000 residents per US census and have a median home selling price under the average Virginia median home selling price. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.
