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City Report · NC

Lenoir

Pop. 18,299·118th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,218/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$747
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lenoir · $1,218
More affordable than 91% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,218/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$49,000/yr
Local median income
$49,910/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lenoir's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$730
1 BR
$820
2 BR
$1,030
3 BR
$1,260
4 BR+
$1,750
Research median
$1,030/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
$14,616/yr
At $1,218/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
18,299
Median income
$49,910
Median age
45.7
Renters
35.8%
Age distribution
19.5%
19.4%
23.4%
14.8%
22.9%
Under 1819.5%
18–3419.4%
35–5423.4%
55–6414.8%
65+22.9%
Gender
46%
54%
Male46%
Female54%
Race & ethnicity
74.9%
13.2%
White74.9%
Black10%
Hispanic13.2%
Asian0.9%
Other1%
Education (25+)
14.8%
30.5%
33.5%
21.2%
No HS diploma14.8%
HS diploma30.5%
Some college33.5%
Bachelor's+21.2%
Housing tenure
64.2%
35.8%
Owner64.2%
Renter35.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lenoir, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$42,411 → $49,910
up 17.7%
Population
18,205 → 18,299
up 0.5%
Renter share
38.5% → 35.8%
-2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
16.7% → 21.2%
+4.5 pts
Median age
42.6 → 45.7
+3.1 yrs

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%.

Community

Discussions about Lenoir

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

Can you afford rent in Lenoir on your salary?

At $1,218/mo, how Lenoir rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lenoir rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lenoir

About renting in Lenoir, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lenoir is $1,218/mo as of July 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 29% of local median household income ($49,910/yr), Lenoir ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lenoir an affordable city for renters?

Lenoir is considered affordable for renters. At $1,218/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($49,910/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lenoir falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lenoir?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,218/mo in Lenoir. The local median household income is $49,910/yr, meaning the typical Lenoir household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lenoir?

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

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

Lenoir is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #118 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,218/mo.

What percentage of Lenoir residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.8% of Lenoir households are renters, while 64.2% are owner-occupied. Lenoir leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lenoir rent compare to the national average?

Lenoir's median rent of $1,218/mo is $747 (38%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #118 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,218/mo, rent takes ~29% of Lenoir's median household income ($49,910/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lenoir 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Lenoir affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lenoir, NC

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