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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in the City of Bristol , Virginia

The City of Bristol has a HUD fair market rent of $1,091 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $801 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $20.98 an hour, full time.

Figure your move-in cash Section 8 here
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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,091
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
39% less than in Virginia
Typical rent
$801
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
49% less than in Virginia
Wage needed
$20.98
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $43,640 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
41%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
15% less than in Virginia

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in the City of Bristol: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Among the neighboring places, Russell County has the lowest typical rent ($653), 18% below the $801 in the City of Bristol.

  2. 20% of households in the City of Bristol have no internet at home, against 7% in Virginia.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

Fair market rent

What HUD sets for each size

Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in the City of Bristol. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.

The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)

According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in the City of Bristol was $1,382 a month in September 2026. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $760 $14.62 $30,400
1 bedroom $845 $16.25 $33,800
2 bedrooms $1,091 $20.98 $43,640
3 bedrooms $1,375 $26.44 $55,000
4 bedrooms $1,465 $28.17 $58,600

HUD area: Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

The fair market rent for your ZIP code

HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 1 ZIP codes in the City of Bristol (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)

  • 24201 $1,110$1,400

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In the City of Bristol, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Virginia, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).

Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.

41%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

2,628 households rent in the City of Bristol

  • Spend half or more of their income 26%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 15%
  • Spend less than 30% 59%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Bristol 41%
  • Virginia 49%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in the City of Bristol

HUD lists 17 properties with homes for low-income households in the City of Bristol: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.

with tax credits (LIHTC)
7
HUD-assisted
4
public housing
6

1,190 homes in all; 1,110 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Leisure Park Towers HUD-assisted 100 Moore St, Bristol 24201 150 low-income homes · For families · (276) 466-5443
  • Rice Terrace Public housing 745 Quarry St, Bristol 24201 136 low-income homes · Run by Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $243 a month · Average wait: 13 months · (276) 642-2001
  • Springdale Village HUD-assisted 160 2nd St, Bristol 24201 136 low-income homes · For families · (276) 466-4411
  • Woodlands at Bristol Tax credit (LIHTC) 170 2nd St, Bristol 24201 136 low-income homes · In service since 2013 · For families
  • Jones Manor Public housing 355 Edmond St, Bristol 24201 100 low-income homes · Run by Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $328 a month · Average wait: 13 months · (276) 642-2001
  • Ridgecrest Town Tax credit (LIHTC) 2 Heritage Dr, Bristol 24201 72 low-income homes · In service since 2008 · For families
  • Eastridge Apts HUD-assisted 837 Portsmouth Ave, Bristol 24201 97 homes, 65 low-income · For families · (276) 669-0581
  • Johnson CT Public housing 160 Birch St, Bristol 24201 60 low-income homes · Run by Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $264 a month · Average wait: 13 months · (276) 642-2001
  • The Village at Oakview Tax credit (LIHTC) 401 Oakview Ave, Bristol 24201 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2018 · For families
  • Douglas School Tax credit (LIHTC) 711 Oakview Ave, Bristol 24201 41 low-income homes · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 18 · In service since 2007 · For older adults
  • Mosby Homes Public housing 807 Clinton Ave, Bristol 24201 40 low-income homes · Run by Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority · Average payment: $433 a month · Average wait: 23 months · (276) 642-2001
  • Harbor Landing Tax credit (LIHTC) 800 Dixie St, Bristol 24201 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • Thomas Jefferson Seniors Tax credit (LIHTC) 429 W Mary St, Bristol 24201 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 21 · 2 bd: 9 · In service since 2004 · For older adults
  • Sapling Grove Tax credit (LIHTC) 609 Clinton Ave, Bristol 24201 26 low-income homes · In service since 2009 · For families
  • Village at Oakview Public housing 469 Oakview Ave, Bristol 24201 48 homes, 16 low-income · Run by Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority · (276) 642-2001
  • Sunhouse Group Home HUD-assisted 36 King St, Bristol 24201 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (276) 466-2286
  • Sapling Grove Apartments Public housing 646 Clinton Ave, Bristol 24201 26 homes, 10 low-income · Run by Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority · (276) 642-2001

Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.

Section 8

The Section 8 voucher in the City of Bristol

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in the City of Bristol. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. HUD

  2. Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$17,200 $28,650 $45,850
$21,640 $32,750 $52,400
$27,320 $36,850 $58,950
$33,000 $40,900 $65,450
$38,680 $44,200 $70,700
$44,360 $47,450 $75,950
$50,040 $50,750 $81,200
$54,000 $54,000 $86,400

Area median income: $81,800. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $684 – $836
  • 1 bedroom $761 – $930
  • 2 bedrooms $982 – $1,200
  • 3 bedrooms $1,238 – $1,513
  • 4 bedrooms $1,319 – $1,612

The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.

Housing agencies that serve this place

Housing agencies in Virginia Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Your rights as a tenant in Virginia

What Virginia law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.

See your rights, rule by rule

Compare these rules with other states →

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

How much can they charge for a deposit?
Up to 2 months of rent
Va. Code §55.1-1226(A)
When must they return my deposit?
45 days
Va. Code §55.1-1226(A)
If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
14 days
Va. Code §55.1-1245(F)
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
30 days
Va. Code §55.1-1253(A)
  • Only a court order can remove youVa. Code §55.1-1252
  • Protection from retaliationVa. Code §55.1-1258(A)
  • Repair and deduct from the rentVa. Code §55.1-1244.1(C)

Help

Where to get help with rent in the City of Bristol

These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • People Incorporated of Virginia

    1173 W Main St, Abingdon · 10 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Homelessness services
    • and 3 more
    (276) 623-9000

  • Appalachian Community Action & Development Agency, Inc.(appcaa)

    175 Military Ln, Gate City · 28 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Workshops for new owners
    • and 4 more
    (276) 452-2441

  • Commonwealth Catholic Charities

    507 Park Avenue SW, Norton · 34 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 11 more
    (804) 285-5986
See every agency in Virginia Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in the City of Bristol. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.

Count power on top of the rent: in Virginia, the average home bill was $149 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$2,182

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$1,091
Security deposit
$1,091
Total
$2,182

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

When you'll have it

Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.

What helps

  • Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
  • On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
  • Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in the City of Bristol?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $760; 1 bedroom: $845; 2 bedrooms: $1,091; 3 bedrooms: $1,375; 4 bedrooms: $1,465. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in the City of Bristol?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,091) without spending more than 30% of income takes $20.98 an hour full time, or $43,640 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in the City of Bristol?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $40,900 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.

How much does Section 8 pay in the City of Bristol?

The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $982 and $1,200 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

How many low-income apartments are there in the City of Bristol?

HUD lists 17 properties with homes for low-income households in the City of Bristol: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.

How many households spend too much on rent in the City of Bristol?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In the City of Bristol, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Virginia, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).