At $1,480/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well 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 $1,480 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Lexington changed +6.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($43,128) is $1,078 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($995); a 3-bedroom is $1,295.
Thomasville, 10 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,314/mo), about $2,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lexington. 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
Lexington, NC is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lexington, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $32,698 in 2021 to $43,128 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 19,347 to 19,690 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.8% change. About 58.4% of households rent today, against 60.9% in 2021.
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At $1,480/mo, how Lexington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lexington rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lexington. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lexington
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lexington is $1,480/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $995/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $875/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,295/mo.
At 41% of local median household income ($43,128/yr), Lexington ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lexington?
At $1,480/mo, rent takes ~41% of Lexington's median household income ($43,128/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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