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City Report · NC

Kings Mountain

Pop. 12,039·46th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Kings Mountain, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,814/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.2%
vs US Median
-$148
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kings Mountain · $1,814
More affordable than 53% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,814/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$73,000/yr
Local median income
$49,564/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kings Mountain's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$800
1 BR
$820
2 BR
$990
3 BR
$1,360
4 BR+
$1,510
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$990/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,814 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
$21,768/yr
At $1,814/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kings Mountain, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,039
Median income
$49,564
Median age
37.2
Renters
37.9%
Age distribution
25.2%
23.2%
19.9%
14.7%
17%
Under 1825.2%
18–3423.2%
35–5419.9%
55–6414.7%
65+17%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
65.9%
25.3%
White65.9%
Black25.3%
Hispanic1.6%
Asian2.8%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
38.7%
32%
17.8%
No HS diploma11.6%
HS diploma38.7%
Some college32%
Bachelor's+17.8%
Housing tenure
62.1%
37.9%
Owner62.1%
Renter37.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kings Mountain, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$42,336 → $49,564
up 17.1%
Population
10,775 → 12,039
up 11.7%
Renter share
35.5% → 37.9%
+2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
16.3% → 17.8%
+1.5 pts
Median age
41.4 → 37.2
-4.2 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $49,564 today, compared with $42,336 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 10,775 to 12,039 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.7% change. About 37.9% of households rent today, against 35.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Kings Mountain

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View Kings Mountain rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kings Mountain on your salary?

At $1,814/mo, how Kings Mountain rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kings Mountain rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kings Mountain

About renting in Kings Mountain, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kings Mountain is $1,814/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,360/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($49,564/yr), Kings Mountain ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kings Mountain an affordable city for renters?

Kings Mountain is considered stretched for renters. At $1,814/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($49,564/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kings Mountain significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Kings Mountain?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $73,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,814/mo in Kings Mountain. The local median household income is $49,564/yr, meaning the typical Kings Mountain household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kings Mountain?

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

How does Kings Mountain rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Kings Mountain is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #46 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,814/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kings Mountain?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kings Mountain ($1,814/mo): Cherryville ($1,100/mo), Shelby ($1,110/mo), Bessemer City ($1,366/mo).

What percentage of Kings Mountain residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.9% of Kings Mountain households are renters, while 62.1% are owner-occupied. Kings Mountain leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kings Mountain rent compare to the national average?

Kings Mountain's median rent of $1,814/mo is $148 (8%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #46 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $1,814/mo, rent takes ~44% of Kings Mountain's median household income ($49,564/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kings Mountain 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Kings Mountain affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kings Mountain, NC

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