Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Charlottesville, VA

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Charlottesville are Ivy Garden, Hessian Hills, and Downtown Charlottesville. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Charlottesville, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of September 15, 2025, the average rent in Charlottesville is $1,700, which is 2.9% higher 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

$1,414/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 $1,414, compared to the city average of $1,700. Ivy Garden is convenient to Meadowbrook Shopping Center, James Madison University, and Charlottesville-Albemarle. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 62.

Hessian Hills

Average Rent

$1,472/Month

Units Available

11 Rentals

Hessian Hills is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,472. Compare this to the city average of $1,700. Hessian Hills provides easy access to Charlottesville-Albemarle, Piedmont Virginia CC, and Ivy Creek Natural Area.

Downtown Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,550/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.7%

TransitScore® Rating

46/100

Units Available

15 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville, Downtown Charlottesville might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,550, while the city’s average stands at $1,700. In the last year, prices have increased by 2.7%. Downtown Charlottesville is near Charlottesville-Albemarle, Virginia Discovery Museum, and Monticello.

West Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,726/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

8.5%

TransitScore® Rating

17/100

Units Available

38 Rentals

West Charlottesville is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in West Charlottesville is $1,726 while the city average is $1,700. This is a 8.5% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Ivy Square Shopping Center, Virginia Discovery Museum, and University of Virginia. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 65.

Venable

Average Rent

$1,761/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2%

TransitScore® Rating

38/100

Units Available

17 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Venable. The average rent is $1,761, compared to the city average of $1,700. Rent prices have increased by 2%. Venable is convenient to Charlottesville-Albemarle, Preston Plaza, and University of Virginia. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 86.

Martha Jefferson

Average Rent

$1,862/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

4.1%

TransitScore® Rating

45/100

Units Available

27 Rentals

Martha Jefferson is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,862. Compare this to the city average of $1,700. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 4.1%. Martha Jefferson provides easy access to Downtown Mall, University of Virginia, and Monticello. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 83.

South Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,867/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.8%

TransitScore® Rating

29/100

Units Available

98 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 $1,867, while the city’s average stands at $1,700. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.8%. South Charlottesville is near Monticello, Willoughby Shopping Center, and Charlottesville-Albemarle.

Fontana

Average Rent

$1,915/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

16 Rentals

Fontana is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Fontana is $1,915 while the city average is $1,700. Residents enjoy convenient access to Piedmont Virginia CC, Rivanna Conservation Society, and Pantops Plaza. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 27.

Turtle Creek Condominiums

Average Rent

$1,955/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

66 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Turtle Creek Condominiums. The average rent is $1,955, compared to the city average of $1,700. Turtle Creek Condominiums is convenient to StoneRidge, Charlottesville-Albemarle, and Virginia Discovery Museum. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 62.

Northeast Charlottesville

Average Rent

$2,045/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3%

TransitScore® Rating

32/100

Units Available

58 Rentals

Northeast Charlottesville is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $2,045. Compare this to the city average of $1,700. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 3%. Northeast Charlottesville provides easy access to Virginia Discovery Museum, Hillsdale Village, and Rivanna Conservation Society. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 63.

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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.