How much does it cost to rent in Asheville, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Asheville, NC is $1,688. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Asheville cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Asheville falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #72 out of 126 cities at $1,688/mo.

When was Asheville rent data last updated?

Asheville rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NC

Asheville

Name: Average Rent Prices in Asheville, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 94,535·72nd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Asheville, NC

Median rent (all units)

$1,688/mo

Year-over-Year

-3.9%

Month-over-Month

-1.1%

vs US Median

-$277

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Asheville · $1,688

More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

79/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% below what Asheville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,688/mo

Expected by trend

$1,977/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Asheville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,466

1 BR

$1,542

2 BR

$1,724

3 BR

$2,212

4 BR+

$2,918

Research median

$1,724/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$20,256/yr

At $1,688/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 3.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-3.9% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Asheville, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, 53.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

94,535

Median income

$71,102

Median age

40.7

Renters

48.1%

Age distribution

14.8%

26.6%

26.9%

20.1%

Under 1814.8%

18–3426.6%

35–5426.9%

55–6411.6%

65+20.1%

Gender

48.8%

51.2%

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

Race & ethnicity

80.3%

White80.3%

Black8.2%

Hispanic6.6%

Asian1.1%

Other3.8%

Education (25+)

18%

22.7%

53.4%

No HS diploma5.9%

HS diploma18%

Some college22.7%

Bachelor's+53.4%

Housing tenure

51.9%

48.1%

Owner51.9%

Renter48.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Asheville, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,373 → $1,688

up 22.9%

Income

$58,193 → $71,102

up 22.2%

Population

93,272 → 94,535

up 1.4%

Renter share

49.4% → 48.1%

-1.3 pts

Bachelor's+

50.8% → 53.4%

+2.6 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Asheville, NC has increased by $315 per month, settling near $1,688 after starting the period at $1,373. Household income in the area moved from $58,193 to $71,102 across the same window, up 22.2% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 93,272 to 94,535 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 50.8% to 53.4%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Asheville, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Asheville

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View Asheville rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Asheville on your salary?

At $1,688/mo, how Asheville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 22.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 32.1% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 27.9% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 15.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 12.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 34.3% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 30.8% income

stretched

By apartment size

Asheville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Asheville

About renting in Asheville, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Asheville is $1,688/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,466/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,724/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,542/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,212/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($71,102/yr), Asheville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Asheville an affordable city for renters?

Asheville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,688/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($71,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Asheville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Asheville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,688/mo in Asheville. The local median household income is $71,102/yr, meaning the typical Asheville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Asheville?

Rent in Asheville has decreased 3.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Asheville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Asheville are 28805 ($1,573/mo), 28803 ($1,643/mo), and 28804 ($1,683/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Asheville is $1,688/mo.

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

Asheville is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #72 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,688/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Asheville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Asheville ($1,688/mo): Arden ($1,547/mo), Weaverville ($1,685/mo).

What percentage of Asheville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.1% of Asheville households are renters, while 51.9% are owner-occupied. Asheville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Asheville rent compare to the national average?

Asheville's median rent of $1,688/mo is $277 (14%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #72 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,688/mo, rent takes ~28% of Asheville's median household income ($71,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Asheville 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Asheville affordability calculator →

Nearby cities