Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Charlottesville, VA

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Charlottesville are Ivy Garden, Downtown Charlottesville, and Orangedale. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Charlottesville, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of August 1, 2025, the average rent in Charlottesville is $1,741, which is 4.9% 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

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville, Ivy Garden might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,414, while the city’s average stands at $1,741. Ivy Garden is near Barracks Road Shopping Center, Rivanna Conservation Society, and Piedmont Virginia CC.

Downtown Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,516/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.7%

TransitScore® Rating

46/100

Units Available

12 Rentals

Downtown Charlottesville is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Downtown Charlottesville is $1,516 while the city average is $1,741. This is a 2.7% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to James Madison University, University of Virginia, and Ash Lawn-Highland. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 97.

Orangedale

Average Rent

$1,631/Month

Units Available

10 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Orangedale. The average rent is $1,631, compared to the city average of $1,741. Orangedale is convenient to Ash Lawn-Highland, Leander McCormick Observatory, and James Madison University.

West Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,705/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

8.5%

TransitScore® Rating

17/100

Units Available

37 Rentals

West Charlottesville is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,705. Compare this to the city average of $1,741. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 8.5%. West Charlottesville provides easy access to Leander McCormick Observatory, Monticello, and Ragged Mountain Natural Area. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 65.

South Charlottesville

Average Rent

$1,878/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.1%

TransitScore® Rating

29/100

Units Available

111 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 $1,878, while the city’s average stands at $1,741. In the last year, prices have increased by 2.1%. South Charlottesville is near Ash Lawn-Highland, University of Virginia, and Monticello.

Venable

Average Rent

$1,904/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.9%

TransitScore® Rating

38/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

Venable is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Venable is $1,904 while the city average is $1,741. This is a 1.9% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Virginia Discovery Museum, Leander McCormick Observatory, and Preston Plaza. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 86.

Fontana

Average Rent

$1,917/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

21 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Charlottesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Fontana. The average rent is $1,917, compared to the city average of $1,741. Fontana is convenient to Rivanna Conservation Society, Monticello, and Ash Lawn-Highland. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 27.

Martha Jefferson

Average Rent

$1,921/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3.8%

TransitScore® Rating

45/100

Units Available

19 Rentals

Martha Jefferson is an affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville with an average rent price of $1,921. Compare this to the city average of $1,741. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 3.8%. Martha Jefferson provides easy access to Monticello, Piedmont Virginia CC, and Leander McCormick Observatory. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 83.

Turtle Creek Condominiums

Average Rent

$2,002/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

81 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Charlottesville, Turtle Creek Condominiums might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,002, while the city’s average stands at $1,741. Turtle Creek Condominiums is near James Madison University, Monticello, and Eastern Mennonite University.

Northeast Charlottesville

Average Rent

$2,033/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

5.1%

TransitScore® Rating

32/100

Units Available

68 Rentals

Northeast Charlottesville is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Northeast Charlottesville is $2,033 while the city average is $1,741. This is a 5.1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to James Madison University, Piedmont Virginia CC, and Seminole Square Shopping Center. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 63.

Ready to make your move to Charlottesville? Check out the rent specials, price drops, and great deals on ApartmentFinder.com!

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.