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City Report · NC

Black Mountain

Pop. 8,513·58th most expensive in North Carolina·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,761/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.2%
vs US Median
-$204
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Black Mountain · $1,761
More affordable than 56% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,761/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$70,000/yr
Local median income
$77,042/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Black Mountain's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,290
1 BR
$1,350
2 BR
$1,520
3 BR
$1,950
4 BR+
$2,570
Research median
$1,520/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
$21,132/yr
At $1,761/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Black Mountain, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 56.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,513
Median income
$77,042
Median age
58.4
Renters
33.1%
Age distribution
13.1%
21.8%
16.3%
36.9%
Under 1811.9%
18–3413.1%
35–5421.8%
55–6416.3%
65+36.9%
Gender
45.4%
54.6%
Male45.4%
Female54.6%
Race & ethnicity
89.9%
White89.9%
Black4.2%
Hispanic1.5%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
18.2%
18.8%
56.3%
No HS diploma6.7%
HS diploma18.2%
Some college18.8%
Bachelor's+56.3%
Housing tenure
66.9%
33.1%
Owner66.9%
Renter33.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Black Mountain, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$68,333 → $77,042
up 12.7%
Population
8,386 → 8,513
up 1.5%
Renter share
35.9% → 33.1%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
60.6% → 56.3%
-4.3 pts
Median age
57.5 → 58.4
+0.9 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $68,333 to $77,042 across the same window, up 12.7% versus 2021. Census counts show Black Mountain, NC adding about 127 residents over the five-year window, up 1.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 35.9% to 33.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 60.6% to 56.3% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Black Mountain

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View Black Mountain rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Black Mountain on your salary?

At $1,761/mo, how Black Mountain rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Black Mountain rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Black Mountain

About renting in Black Mountain, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Black Mountain is $1,761/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,520/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,350/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,950/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($77,042/yr), Black Mountain ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Black Mountain an affordable city for renters?

Black Mountain is considered affordable for renters. At $1,761/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($77,042/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Black Mountain falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Black Mountain?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,761/mo in Black Mountain. The local median household income is $77,042/yr, meaning the typical Black Mountain household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Black Mountain?

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

How does Black Mountain rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Black Mountain is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #58 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,761/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Black Mountain?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Black Mountain ($1,761/mo): Weaverville ($1,685/mo), Asheville ($1,688/mo), Hendersonville ($1,730/mo).

What percentage of Black Mountain residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.1% of Black Mountain households are renters, while 66.9% are owner-occupied. Black Mountain leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Black Mountain rent compare to the national average?

Black Mountain's median rent of $1,761/mo is $204 (10%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #58 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,761/mo, rent takes ~27% of Black Mountain's median household income ($77,042/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Black Mountain 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Black Mountain affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Black Mountain, NC

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