Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Blacksburg, VA
The median monthly rent in Blacksburg, VA is $1,730, translating to $20,760 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.62% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in Blacksburg spend approximately 36% of the local median household income ($57,250) on rent. This exceeds the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting rent growth may face resistance — but it also means a large portion of the population finds buying even more out of reach, supporting rental demand.
The vacancy rate in Blacksburg is 5.2%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Population growth of 0.7% annually provides stable demand.
Blacksburg's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 13.5x. A GRM between 12-16x is moderate and typical of balanced markets. Deals can work but you need to keep expenses controlled. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $1,730/mo, a single-family rental in Blacksburg generates approximately $20,760 in gross annual income. After accounting for 5.2% vacancy ($1,080 lost), property taxes of $2,408, insurance (~$1,120), and maintenance (~$1,120), the estimated NOI is $15,032 per year, or $1,253/mo.
Blacksburg vs Virginia state average and national average across key investment metrics. Blacksburg outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.