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City Report · NC

Lincolnton

Pop. 11,783·113th most expensive in North Carolina·Lincolnton rents have dropped 12.4%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,305/mo
Year-over-Year
-12.4%
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
-$660
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lincolnton · $1,305
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,305/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$52,000/yr
Local median income
$46,320/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lincolnton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$980
1 BR
$1,010
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,550
4 BR+
$1,670
Research median
$1,120/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
$15,660/yr
At $1,305/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 12.4% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-12.4% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lincolnton, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 24% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,783
Median income
$46,320
Median age
37.1
Renters
53.8%
Age distribution
23%
25.5%
20%
12.1%
19.3%
Under 1823%
18–3425.5%
35–5420%
55–6412.1%
65+19.3%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
62.6%
21.3%
14.9%
White62.6%
Black21.3%
Hispanic14.9%
Other1.2%
Education (25+)
12.9%
30.8%
32.3%
24%
No HS diploma12.9%
HS diploma30.8%
Some college32.3%
Bachelor's+24%
Housing tenure
46.2%
53.8%
Owner46.2%
Renter53.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lincolnton, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$38,920 → $46,320
up 19.0%
Population
10,926 → 11,783
up 7.8%
Renter share
59.1% → 53.8%
-5.3 pts
Bachelor's+
19.1% → 24%
+4.9 pts
Median age
34.9 → 37.1
+2.2 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $38,920 in 2021 to $46,320 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 10,926 to 11,783 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.8% change. About 53.8% of households rent today, against 59.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.1% to 24%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Lincolnton on your salary?

At $1,305/mo, how Lincolnton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lincolnton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lincolnton

About renting in Lincolnton, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lincolnton is $1,305/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $980/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,550/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($46,320/yr), Lincolnton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 12.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lincolnton an affordable city for renters?

Lincolnton is considered moderate for renters. At $1,305/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($46,320/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lincolnton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lincolnton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,305/mo in Lincolnton. The local median household income is $46,320/yr, meaning the typical Lincolnton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lincolnton?

Rent in Lincolnton has decreased 12.4% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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

Lincolnton is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #113 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,305/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lincolnton?

Cherryville is nearby and more affordable at $1,100/mo, which is $205 less than Lincolnton.

What percentage of Lincolnton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.8% of Lincolnton households are renters, while 46.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Lincolnton has a strong rental market.

How does Lincolnton rent compare to the national average?

Lincolnton's median rent of $1,305/mo is $660 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #113 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,305/mo, rent takes ~34% of Lincolnton's median household income ($46,320/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lincolnton 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Lincolnton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lincolnton, NC

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