Rents are 11% below what Burlington's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,321 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Burlington, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 29.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Burlington, NC has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Burlington, NC has shifted from $1,100 to $1,321, up 20.1% since 2022. Census figures show median household income at $56,880 today, compared with $47,158 five years earlier. Census counts show Burlington, NC adding about 3,047 residents over the five-year window, up 5.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.2% to 29.6% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.
Discussions about Burlington
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Can you afford rent in Burlington on your salary?
At $1,321/mo, how Burlington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Burlington rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Burlington. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Burlington
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Burlington is $1,321/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $855/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,190/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,075/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,500/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($56,880/yr), Burlington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burlington an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Burlington?
Which Burlington neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Burlington rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Burlington?
What percentage of Burlington residents rent vs. own?
How does Burlington rent compare to the national average?
At $1,321/mo, rent takes ~28% of Burlington's median household income ($56,880/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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