City Report · NC

China Grove

Pop. 4,530·91st most expensive in North Carolina·China Grove rents are up 9.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,510/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.7%
Month-over-Month
+2.3%
vs US Median
-$422
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss China Grove rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
China Grove · $1,510
More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,510/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$60,000/yr
Local median income
$54,083/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using China Grove's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,030
1 BR
$1,040
2 BR
$1,270
3 BR
$1,670
4 BR+
$2,130
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,270/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,510 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in China Grove changed +9.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($54,083) is $1,352 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,270); a 3-bedroom is $1,670.

Cheaper nearby

Albemarle, 27 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,260/mo), about $3,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for China Grove. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$18,120/yr
At $1,510/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.7% YoY, +2.3% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

China Grove, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 12.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,530
Median income
$54,083
Median age
39.2
Renters
34.7%
Age distribution
22%
26.9%
22.4%
13.1%
15.6%
Under 1822%
18–3426.9%
35–5422.4%
55–6413.1%
65+15.6%
Gender
44.5%
55.5%
Male44.5%
Female55.5%
Race & ethnicity
73.6%
22.4%
White73.6%
Black3.5%
Hispanic22.4%
Other0.6%
Education (25+)
17.4%
25.7%
44.6%
12.3%
No HS diploma17.4%
HS diploma25.7%
Some college44.6%
Bachelor's+12.3%
Housing tenure
65.3%
34.7%
Owner65.3%
Renter34.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How China Grove, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$36,843 → $54,083
up 46.8%
Population
4,395 → 4,530
up 3.1%
Renter share
36.5% → 34.7%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
16.9% → 12.3%
-4.6 pts
Median age
43.9 → 39.2
-4.7 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in China Grove, NC now reports about $54,083, up from $36,843 in 2021. Census counts show China Grove, NC adding about 135 residents over the five-year window, up 3.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 36.5% to 34.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 16.9% to 12.3% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about China Grove

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View China Grove rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in China Grove on your salary?

At $1,510/mo, how China Grove rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

China Grove rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in China Grove

About renting in China Grove, NC

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in China Grove is $1,510/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,030/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,670/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($54,083/yr), China Grove ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in China Grove?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (about $29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,510/mo in China Grove. The local median household income is $54,083/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in China Grove?

Rent in China Grove has risen 9.7% over the past year.

How does China Grove rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

China Grove is one of the more affordable among North Carolina cities for rent, ranking #91 of 129 tracked cities at $1,510/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in China Grove changed +9.7%, against a typical +2.9% across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than China Grove?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than China Grove ($1,510/mo) include Salisbury ($1,393/mo).
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,510/mo, rent takes ~34% of China Grove's median household income ($54,083/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

China Grove 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the China Grove affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in China Grove
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near China Grove, NC

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for China Grove.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.