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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Clayton, NC is $1,862. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Clayton cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Clayton is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina, ranking #36 out of 126 cities tracked at $1,862/mo.

When was Clayton rent data last updated?

Clayton 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

Clayton

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

Pop. 29,320·36th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Clayton, NC

Median rent (all units)

$1,862/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.5%

vs US Median

-$103

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Clayton · $1,862

More expensive than 50% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Clayton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,862/mo

Expected by trend

$2,011/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,495

1 BR

$1,555

2 BR

$1,720

3 BR

$2,140

4 BR+

$2,890

Research median

$1,720/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

$22,344/yr

At $1,862/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.0% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Clayton, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 40.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

29,320

Median income

$78,822

Median age

Renters

37.3%

Age distribution

26.2%

27.2%

Under 1826.2%

18–3426.2%

35–5427.2%

55–6410.3%

65+10.2%

Gender

47.6%

52.4%

Male47.6%

Female52.4%

Race & ethnicity

58.6%

27.7%

13.2%

White58.6%

Black27.7%

Hispanic13.2%

Asian0.7%

Education (25+)

23.1%

32%

40.4%

No HS diploma4.4%

HS diploma23.1%

Some college32%

Bachelor's+40.4%

Housing tenure

62.7%

37.3%

Owner62.7%

Renter37.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Clayton, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,460 → $1,862

up 27.5%

Income

$63,166 → $78,822

up 24.8%

Population

25,486 → 29,320

up 15.0%

Renter share

34.3% → 37.3%

+3.0 pts

Bachelor's+

29.5% → 40.4%

+10.9 pts

Median age

33.9 → 33

-0.9 yrs

The median rent in Clayton, NC stood at $1,460 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,862, reflecting a 27.5% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $63,166 to $78,822 across the same window, up 24.8% versus 2021. The population has grown by 15.0% since 2021, moving from about 25,486 residents to roughly 29,320. Renters now make up 37.3% of households, compared with 34.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 40.4% of adults here, versus 29.5% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Clayton, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Clayton

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View Clayton rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Clayton on your salary?

At $1,862/mo, how Clayton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 25.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 35.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 30.8% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 17.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 13.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 37.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 41.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 34% income

stretched

By apartment size

Clayton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clayton

About renting in Clayton, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Clayton is $1,862/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,495/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,720/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,555/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,140/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($78,822/yr), Clayton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clayton an affordable city for renters?

Clayton is considered affordable for renters. At $1,862/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($78,822/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clayton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Clayton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,862/mo in Clayton. The local median household income is $78,822/yr, meaning the typical Clayton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clayton?

Rent in Clayton has increased 2.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Clayton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Clayton are 27520 ($1,839/mo), and 27527 ($1,870/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Clayton is $1,862/mo.

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

Clayton is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #36 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,862/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clayton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Clayton ($1,862/mo): Knightdale ($1,759/mo), Smithfield ($1,832/mo).

What percentage of Clayton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.3% of Clayton households are renters, while 62.7% are owner-occupied. Clayton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Clayton rent compare to the national average?

Clayton's median rent of $1,862/mo is $103 (5%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #36 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,862/mo, rent takes ~28% of Clayton's median household income ($78,822/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clayton 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Clayton affordability calculator →

Nearby cities