At $1,467/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,467 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
Hillsborough, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 61.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Hillsborough, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $77,114 in 2021 to $98,163 more recently. The population has grown by 4.1% since 2021, moving from about 9,342 residents to roughly 9,724. Renters now make up 36.2% of households, compared with 33.8% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Hillsborough on your salary?
At $1,467/mo, how Hillsborough rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Hillsborough rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Hillsborough. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Hillsborough
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Hillsborough is $1,467/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,440/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,740/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,520/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,170/mo.
At 18% of local median household income ($98,163/yr), Hillsborough ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillsborough an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Hillsborough?
How does Hillsborough rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
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What percentage of Hillsborough residents rent vs. own?
How does Hillsborough rent compare to the national average?
At $1,467/mo, rent takes ~18% of Hillsborough's median household income ($98,163/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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