At $1,476/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,476 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($56,239) is $1,406 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,170); a 3-bedroom is $1,470.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Graham. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Graham, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Graham, NC has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $45,152 to $56,239 across the same window, up 24.6% versus 2021. Census counts show Graham, NC adding about 1,255 residents over the five-year window, up 7.5% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 22.5% to 24.7% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Graham on your salary?
At $1,476/mo, how Graham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Graham rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Graham. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Graham
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Graham is $1,476/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,170/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,470/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($56,239/yr), Graham ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Graham?
How does Graham rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Graham?
At $1,476/mo, rent takes ~31% of Graham's median household income ($56,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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