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City Report · NC

Albemarle

Pop. 16,762·94th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Albemarle, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,501/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.8%
vs US Median
-$464
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Albemarle · $1,501
More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
38% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,501/mo, rent takes about 38% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$60,000/yr
Local median income
$46,881/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Albemarle's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$690
1 BR
$770
2 BR
$1,010
3 BR
$1,380
4 BR+
$1,680
Research median
$1,010/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,012/yr
At $1,501/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +4.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Albemarle, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,762
Median income
$46,881
Median age
39.5
Renters
43.7%
Age distribution
21.9%
21.6%
22.9%
13.3%
20.4%
Under 1821.9%
18–3421.6%
35–5422.9%
55–6413.3%
65+20.4%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
62.6%
25.3%
White62.6%
Black25.3%
Hispanic6.2%
Asian3.5%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
31.9%
35.8%
20.4%
No HS diploma11.9%
HS diploma31.9%
Some college35.8%
Bachelor's+20.4%
Housing tenure
56.3%
43.7%
Owner56.3%
Renter43.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Albemarle, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$43,231 → $46,881
up 8.4%
Population
16,318 → 16,762
up 2.7%
Renter share
45.2% → 43.7%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
18.6% → 20.4%
+1.8 pts

Household income in the area moved from $43,231 to $46,881 across the same window, up 8.4% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 16,318 to 16,762 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.7% change. About 43.7% of households rent today, against 45.2% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Albemarle

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View Albemarle rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Albemarle on your salary?

At $1,501/mo, how Albemarle rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Albemarle rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Albemarle. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Albemarle

About renting in Albemarle, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Albemarle is $1,501/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $690/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,380/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($46,881/yr), Albemarle ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Albemarle an affordable city for renters?

Albemarle is considered moderate for renters. At $1,501/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($46,881/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Albemarle slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Albemarle?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,501/mo in Albemarle. The local median household income is $46,881/yr, meaning the typical Albemarle household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Albemarle?

Rent in Albemarle has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Albemarle rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Albemarle is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #94 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,501/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Albemarle?

Salisbury is nearby and more affordable at $1,206/mo, which is $295 less than Albemarle.

What percentage of Albemarle residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.7% of Albemarle households are renters, while 56.3% are owner-occupied. Albemarle leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Albemarle rent compare to the national average?

Albemarle's median rent of $1,501/mo is $464 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #94 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $1,501/mo, rent takes ~38% of Albemarle's median household income ($46,881/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Albemarle 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Albemarle affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Albemarle, NC

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