Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Charlottesville, VA

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Charlottesville are Ivy Garden, Downtown Charlottesville, and Venable. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Charlottesville, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of February 1, 2026, the average rent in Charlottesville is $1,704, which is 1.1% lower than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.

Ivy Garden

Average Rent

$1,480/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

12 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Ivy Garden. The average rent is $1,480, compared to the city average of $1,704. Ivy Garden is convenient to Ivy Square Shopping Center, Meadowbrook Shopping Center, and Charlottesville-Albemarle. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 62.

Downtown Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,542/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.4%

TransitScore® Rating

46/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

Downtown Charlottesville is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,542. Compare this to the city average of $1,704. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 1.4%. Downtown Charlottesville provides easy access to University of Virginia, Riverview Center, and Ash Lawn-Highland. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 97.

Venable

Average Rent

$1,669/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.2%

TransitScore® Rating

38/100

Units Available

29 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville, Venable might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,669, while the city’s average stands at $1,704. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.2%. Venable is near Ivy Square Shopping Center, Charlottesville-Albemarle, and University of Virginia.

West Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,727/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

4.1%

TransitScore® Rating

17/100

Units Available

58 Rentals

West Charlottesville is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in West Charlottesville is $1,727 while the city average is $1,704. This is a 4.1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Piedmont Virginia CC, Barracks Road Shopping Center, and James Madison University. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 65.

Turtle Creek Condominiums

Average Rent

$1,779/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

56 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Turtle Creek Condominiums. The average rent is $1,779, compared to the city average of $1,704. Turtle Creek Condominiums is convenient to Ivy Creek Natural Area, Eastern Mennonite University, and StoneRidge. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 62.

Martha Jefferson

Average Rent

$1,853/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.9%

TransitScore® Rating

45/100

Units Available

27 Rentals

Martha Jefferson is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,853. Compare this to the city average of $1,704. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.9%. Martha Jefferson provides easy access to Virginia Discovery Museum, Ash Lawn-Highland, and University of Virginia. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 83.

South Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,866/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3.4%

TransitScore® Rating

29/100

Units Available

104 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville, South Charlottesville might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,866, while the city’s average stands at $1,704. In the last year, prices have decreased by 3.4%. South Charlottesville is near Ash Lawn-Highland, Willoughby Shopping Center, and Charlottesville-Albemarle.

Fontana

Average Rent

$1,880/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

11 Rentals

Fontana is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Fontana is $1,880 while the city average is $1,704. Residents enjoy convenient access to University of Virginia, Leander McCormick Observatory, and Piedmont Virginia CC. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 27.

Northeast Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,932/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.1%

TransitScore® Rating

32/100

Units Available

51 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Northeast Charlottesville. The average rent is $1,932, compared to the city average of $1,704. Rent prices have decreased by 2.1%. Northeast Charlottesville is convenient to Virginia Discovery Museum, Piedmont Virginia CC, and Ivy Creek Natural Area. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 63.

Parkside-Eagles Landing Condominiums

Average Rent

$1,986/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

Parkside-Eagles Landing Condominiums is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,986. Compare this to the city average of $1,704. Parkside-Eagles Landing Condominiums provides easy access to Leander McCormick Observatory, Rivanna Conservation Society, and Piedmont Virginia CC. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 8.

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Methodology

Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.

We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.