Rents are 6% above what Hickory's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $1,492 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Hickory, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 37.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Hickory, NC has changed in 5 years
Compared with 2022, rent in Hickory, NC has climbed by $263 per month, settling near $1,492 after starting the period at $1,229. Household income in the area moved from $53,117 to $64,576 across the same window, up 21.6% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 42,831 to 44,258 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.3% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Hickory, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Hickory
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Can you afford rent in Hickory on your salary?
At $1,492/mo, how Hickory rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Hickory rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Hickory. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Hickory
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Hickory is $1,492/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,115/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,420/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($64,576/yr), Hickory ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hickory an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Hickory?
Is rent going up or down in Hickory?
Which Hickory neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Hickory rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hickory?
What percentage of Hickory residents rent vs. own?
How does Hickory rent compare to the national average?
At $1,492/mo, rent takes ~28% of Hickory's median household income ($64,576/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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