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City Report · NC

Graham

Pop. 18,048·115th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,295/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.3%
vs US Median
-$667
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Graham · $1,295
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,295/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$52,000/yr
Local median income
$56,239/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Graham's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$840
1 BR
$1,060
2 BR
$1,170
3 BR
$1,470
4 BR+
$1,740
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,170/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,295 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,540/yr
At $1,295/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, -6.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
18,048
Median income
$56,239
Median age
37.8
Renters
46.8%
Age distribution
20.9%
24%
24.1%
13.2%
17.8%
Under 1820.9%
18–3424%
35–5424.1%
55–6413.2%
65+17.8%
Gender
48.2%
51.8%
Male48.2%
Female51.8%
Race & ethnicity
56%
22%
18.2%
White56%
Black22%
Hispanic18.2%
Asian0.7%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
31.6%
32.4%
24.7%
No HS diploma11.3%
HS diploma31.6%
Some college32.4%
Bachelor's+24.7%
Housing tenure
53.2%
46.8%
Owner53.2%
Renter46.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Graham, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$45,152 → $56,239
up 24.6%
Population
16,793 → 18,048
up 7.5%
Renter share
45.5% → 46.8%
+1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
22.5% → 24.7%
+2.2 pts

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.

Community

Discussions about Graham

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

Can you afford rent in Graham on your salary?

At $1,295/mo, how Graham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Graham rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Graham

About renting in Graham, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Graham is $1,295/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($56,239/yr), Graham ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Graham an affordable city for renters?

Graham is considered affordable for renters. At $1,295/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($56,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Graham falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Graham?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,295/mo in Graham. The local median household income is $56,239/yr, meaning the typical Graham household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Graham?

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

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

Graham is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #115 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,295/mo.

What percentage of Graham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.8% of Graham households are renters, while 53.2% are owner-occupied. Graham leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Graham rent compare to the national average?

Graham's median rent of $1,295/mo is $667 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #115 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,295/mo, rent takes ~28% of Graham's median household income ($56,239/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Graham 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Graham affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Graham, NC

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