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City Report · NC

Hickory

Pop. 44,258·98th most expensive in North Carolina·Hickory rents are up 8.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,463/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.1%
Month-over-Month
+3.9%
vs US Median
-$502
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hickory · $1,463
More affordable than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
41/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% above what Hickory's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,463/mo
Expected by trend
$1,399/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hickory's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$910
2 BR
$1,115
3 BR
$1,420
4 BR+
$1,670
Research median
$1,115/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
$17,556/yr
At $1,463/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.1% YoY, +3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
44,258
Median income
$64,576
Median age
37.5
Renters
45%
Age distribution
21.3%
26.5%
23%
12.2%
17.1%
Under 1821.3%
18–3426.5%
35–5423%
55–6412.2%
65+17.1%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
66.5%
13.5%
15.2%
White66.5%
Black13.5%
Hispanic15.2%
Asian4.8%
Education (25+)
22%
30.9%
37.1%
No HS diploma10%
HS diploma22%
Some college30.9%
Bachelor's+37.1%
Housing tenure
55%
45%
Owner55%
Renter45%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Hickory, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,229 → $1,463
up 19.0%
Income
$53,117 → $64,576
up 21.6%
Population
42,831 → 44,258
up 3.3%
Renter share
45.7% → 45%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
36.7% → 37.1%
+0.4 pts
Median age
38.3 → 37.5
-0.8 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Hickory, NC has climbed by $234 per month, settling near $1,463 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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Hickory on your salary?

At $1,463/mo, how Hickory rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hickory rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hickory

About renting in Hickory, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hickory is $1,463/mo as of July 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 27% of local median household income ($64,576/yr), Hickory ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hickory an affordable city for renters?

Hickory is considered affordable for renters. At $1,463/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($64,576/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hickory falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Hickory?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,463/mo in Hickory. The local median household income is $64,576/yr, meaning the typical Hickory household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hickory?

Rent in Hickory has increased 8.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Hickory neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hickory are 28601 ($1,423/mo), and 28602 ($1,490/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hickory is $1,463/mo.

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

Hickory is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #98 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,463/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hickory?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hickory ($1,463/mo): Cherryville ($1,100/mo), Lenoir ($1,218/mo), Lincolnton ($1,305/mo).

What percentage of Hickory residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45% of Hickory households are renters, while 55% are owner-occupied. Hickory leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hickory rent compare to the national average?

Hickory's median rent of $1,463/mo is $502 (26%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #98 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,463/mo, rent takes ~27% of Hickory's median household income ($64,576/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hickory 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Hickory affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hickory
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hickory, NC

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