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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cornelius, NC is $1,778. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cornelius cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Cornelius falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #53 out of 126 cities at $1,778/mo.

When was Cornelius rent data last updated?

Cornelius 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

Cornelius

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

Pop. 32,783·53rd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Cornelius, NC

Median rent (all units)

$1,778/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.3%

vs US Median

-$187

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cornelius · $1,778

More affordable than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

78/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Cornelius's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,778/mo

Expected by trend

$2,067/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,770

1 BR

$1,830

2 BR

$2,030

3 BR

$2,500

4 BR+

$3,170

Research median

$2,030/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

$21,336/yr

At $1,778/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.1% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cornelius, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 62.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,783

Median income

$113,767

Median age

Renters

30.5%

Age distribution

21.8%

17.2%

27.4%

13.5%

20%

Under 1821.8%

18–3417.2%

35–5427.4%

55–6413.5%

65+20%

Gender

47.4%

52.6%

Male47.4%

Female52.6%

Race & ethnicity

83.2%

White83.2%

Black3.5%

Hispanic5.4%

Asian3.2%

Other4.8%

Education (25+)

24%

62.2%

No HS diploma2.5%

HS diploma11.3%

Some college24%

Bachelor's+62.2%

Housing tenure

69.5%

30.5%

Owner69.5%

Renter30.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cornelius, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,415 → $1,778

up 25.7%

Income

$95,147 → $113,767

up 19.6%

Population

30,925 → 32,783

up 6.0%

Renter share

30.2% → 30.5%

+0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

55.7% → 62.2%

+6.5 pts

Median age

43.4 → 44

+0.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Cornelius, NC has shifted from $1,415 to $1,778, up 25.7% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $95,147 to $113,767 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.6% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Cornelius, NC adding about 1,858 residents over the five-year window, up 6.0% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 55.7% to 62.2% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Cornelius, NC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Cornelius

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View Cornelius rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cornelius on your salary?

At $1,778/mo, how Cornelius rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 24% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 33.8% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 29.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 16.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 12.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 36.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 40% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 32.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Cornelius rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cornelius

About renting in Cornelius, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cornelius is $1,778/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,500/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($113,767/yr), Cornelius ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cornelius an affordable city for renters?

Cornelius is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,778/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($113,767/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cornelius falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cornelius?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,778/mo in Cornelius. The local median household income is $113,767/yr, meaning the typical Cornelius household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cornelius?

Rent in Cornelius has increased 1.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Cornelius is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #53 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,778/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cornelius?

Mooresville is nearby and more affordable at $1,621/mo, which is $157 less than Cornelius.

What percentage of Cornelius residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.5% of Cornelius households are renters, while 69.5% are owner-occupied. Cornelius leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cornelius rent compare to the national average?

Cornelius's median rent of $1,778/mo is $187 (10%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #53 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

19%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,778/mo, rent takes ~19% of Cornelius's median household income ($113,767/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cornelius 19%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Cornelius affordability calculator →

Nearby cities