At $1,329/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above 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 $1,329 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: September 25, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($49,910) is $1,248 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,030); a 3-bedroom is $1,260.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lenoir. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Lenoir, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lenoir, NC has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $42,411 to $49,910 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.7% shift. About 35.8% of households rent today, against 38.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 16.7% to 21.2%.
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At $1,329/mo, how Lenoir rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lenoir rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lenoir. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lenoir
Last updated: September 25, 2026
The median rent in Lenoir is $1,329/mo as of September 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,260/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($49,910/yr), Lenoir ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Lenoir rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
At $1,329/mo, rent takes ~32% of Lenoir's median household income ($49,910/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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