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City Report · NC

China Grove

Pop. 4,530·79th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for China Grove, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,640/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.9%
vs US Median
-$325
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
China Grove · $1,640
More affordable than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,640/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$66,000/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
Research median
$1,270/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
$19,680/yr
At $1,640/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, +5.9% MoM), not inventory.
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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

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

Can you afford rent in China Grove on your salary?

At $1,640/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in China Grove is $1,640/mo as of July 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 36% of local median household income ($54,083/yr), China Grove ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is China Grove an affordable city for renters?

China Grove is considered moderate for renters. At $1,640/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($54,083/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. China Grove slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,640/mo in China Grove. The local median household income is $54,083/yr, meaning the typical China Grove household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in China Grove?

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

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

China Grove is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #79 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,640/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than China Grove ($1,640/mo): Salisbury ($1,206/mo), Mooresville ($1,621/mo).

What percentage of China Grove residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.7% of China Grove households are renters, while 65.3% are owner-occupied. China Grove leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does China Grove rent compare to the national average?

China Grove's median rent of $1,640/mo is $325 (17%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #79 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,640/mo, rent takes ~36% of China Grove's median household income ($54,083/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

China Grove 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the China Grove affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near China Grove, NC

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