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City Report · NC

Cullowhee

Pop. 7,973·122nd most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,171/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.6%
vs US Median
-$794
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cullowhee · $1,171
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,171/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$47,000/yr
Local median income
$35,929/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Cullowhee's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$1,000
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,350
4 BR+
$1,530
Research median
$1,120/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$14,052/yr
At $1,171/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cullowhee, NC is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,973
Median income
$35,929
Median age
21
Renters
89.1%
Age distribution
83.6%
Under 184.4%
18–3483.6%
35–544.7%
55–644.3%
65+3%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
80.8%
White80.8%
Black6.2%
Hispanic10.5%
Asian0.7%
Other1.8%
Education (25+)
31.9%
23.8%
38.2%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma31.9%
Some college23.8%
Bachelor's+38.2%
Housing tenure
89.1%
Owner10.9%
Renter89.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cullowhee, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$30,722 → $35,929
up 16.9%
Population
6,538 → 7,973
up 21.9%
Renter share
88.2% → 89.1%
+0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
51.3% → 38.2%
-13.1 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $30,722 in 2021 to $35,929 more recently. The population has grown by 21.9% since 2021, moving from about 6,538 residents to roughly 7,973. College-educated residents now make up 38.2% of adults here, versus 51.3% in 2021.

Community

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View Cullowhee rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cullowhee on your salary?

At $1,171/mo, how Cullowhee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cullowhee rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cullowhee

About renting in Cullowhee, NC

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Cullowhee is $1,171/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($35,929/yr), Cullowhee ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cullowhee an affordable city for renters?

Cullowhee is considered moderate for renters. At $1,171/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($35,929/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cullowhee slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cullowhee?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,171/mo in Cullowhee. The local median household income is $35,929/yr, meaning the typical Cullowhee household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cullowhee?

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

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

Cullowhee is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #122 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,171/mo.

What percentage of Cullowhee residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 89.1% of Cullowhee households are renters, while 10.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Cullowhee has a strong rental market.

How does Cullowhee rent compare to the national average?

Cullowhee's median rent of $1,171/mo is $794 (40%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #122 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $1,171/mo, rent takes ~39% of Cullowhee's median household income ($35,929/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cullowhee 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Cullowhee affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cullowhee, NC

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