How much does it cost to rent in Matthews, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Matthews, NC is $1,756. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Matthews cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Matthews falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #60 out of 126 cities at $1,756/mo.

When was Matthews rent data last updated?

Matthews rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NC

Matthews

Name: Average Rent Prices in Matthews, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 30,577·60th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Matthews, NC

Median rent (all units)

$1,756/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

-$209

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Matthews rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Matthews · $1,756

More affordable than 57% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

78/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Matthews's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,756/mo

Expected by trend

$2,042/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Matthews's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,411

1 BR

$1,464

2 BR

$1,622

3 BR

$2,002

4 BR+

$2,537

Research median

$1,622/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$21,072/yr

At $1,756/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Matthews, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 55.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

30,577

Median income

$108,611

Median age

40.1

Renters

35.6%

Age distribution

21.3%

21.2%

24.8%

12.3%

20.5%

Under 1821.3%

18–3421.2%

35–5424.8%

55–6412.3%

65+20.5%

Gender

48.1%

51.9%

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

Race & ethnicity

70.6%

13.1%

White70.6%

Black13.1%

Hispanic6%

Asian6.5%

Other3.8%

Education (25+)

16%

23.7%

55.2%

No HS diploma5.1%

HS diploma16%

Some college23.7%

Bachelor's+55.2%

Housing tenure

64.4%

35.6%

Owner64.4%

Renter35.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Matthews, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,432 → $1,756

up 22.6%

Income

$96,195 → $108,611

up 12.9%

Population

29,417 → 30,577

up 3.9%

Renter share

31.9% → 35.6%

+3.7 pts

Bachelor's+

55.1% → 55.2%

+0.1 pts

Median age

39.5 → 40.1

+0.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Matthews, NC has increased from $1,432 to $1,756, a 22.6% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $96,195 in 2021 to $108,611 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 3.9% since 2021, moving from about 29,417 residents to roughly 30,577. Renters now make up 35.6% of households, compared with 31.9% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Matthews, NC market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Matthews

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Matthews rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Matthews on your salary?

At $1,756/mo, how Matthews rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 23.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 33.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 16.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 12.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 35.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 39.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 32.1% income

stretched

By apartment size

Matthews rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Matthews

About renting in Matthews, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Matthews is $1,756/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,411/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,622/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,464/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,002/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($108,611/yr), Matthews ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Matthews an affordable city for renters?

Matthews is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,756/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($108,611/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Matthews falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Matthews?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,756/mo in Matthews. The local median household income is $108,611/yr, meaning the typical Matthews household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Matthews?

Rent in Matthews has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Matthews neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Matthews are 28105 ($1,697/mo), and 28104 ($2,388/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Matthews is $1,756/mo.

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

Matthews is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #60 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,756/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Matthews?

Charlotte is nearby and more affordable at $1,746/mo, which is $10 less than Matthews.

What percentage of Matthews residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.6% of Matthews households are renters, while 64.4% are owner-occupied. Matthews leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Matthews rent compare to the national average?

Matthews's median rent of $1,756/mo is $209 (11%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #60 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

19%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,756/mo, rent takes ~19% of Matthews's median household income ($108,611/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Matthews 19%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Matthews affordability calculator →

Nearby cities