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City Report · NC

Mebane

Pop. 19,538·83rd most expensive in North Carolina·Mebane rents are up 8.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,635/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.1%
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
-$330
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mebane · $1,635
More affordable than 67% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,635/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$65,000/yr
Local median income
$83,174/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Mebane's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,250
1 BR
$1,280
2 BR
$1,470
3 BR
$1,850
4 BR+
$2,260
Research median
$1,470/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
$19,620/yr
At $1,635/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.1% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mebane, NC is majority owner-occupied, 40.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
19,538
Median income
$83,174
Median age
38.5
Renters
39.5%
Age distribution
23.5%
21.5%
29.2%
15.4%
Under 1823.5%
18–3421.5%
35–5429.2%
55–6410.5%
65+15.4%
Gender
44.2%
55.8%
Male44.2%
Female55.8%
Race & ethnicity
56.7%
23%
White56.7%
Black23%
Hispanic8.7%
Asian4.5%
Other7.1%
Education (25+)
20.4%
31.9%
40.4%
No HS diploma7.3%
HS diploma20.4%
Some college31.9%
Bachelor's+40.4%
Housing tenure
60.5%
39.5%
Owner60.5%
Renter39.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Mebane, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,515 → $1,635
up 7.9%
Income
$69,947 → $83,174
up 18.9%
Population
17,192 → 19,538
up 13.6%
Renter share
41% → 39.5%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
37.2% → 40.4%
+3.2 pts
Median age
35.8 → 38.5
+2.7 yrs

Rent in Mebane, NC has increased 7.9% since 2023, going from about $1,515 per month to roughly $1,635 today. Household income in the area moved from $69,947 to $83,174 across the same window, up 18.9% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 11.0 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 17,192 to 19,538 between 2021 and 2024, a 13.6% change. About 39.5% of households rent today, against 41% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 37.2% to 40.4%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Mebane, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Mebane

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

Can you afford rent in Mebane on your salary?

At $1,635/mo, how Mebane rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mebane rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mebane

About renting in Mebane, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Mebane is $1,635/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,250/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,280/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,850/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($83,174/yr), Mebane ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mebane an affordable city for renters?

Mebane is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,635/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($83,174/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mebane falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Mebane?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,635/mo in Mebane. The local median household income is $83,174/yr, meaning the typical Mebane household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mebane?

Rent in Mebane has increased 8.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Mebane is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #83 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,635/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mebane?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Mebane ($1,635/mo): Burlington ($1,298/mo), Graham ($1,382/mo), Hillsborough ($1,454/mo).

What percentage of Mebane residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.5% of Mebane households are renters, while 60.5% are owner-occupied. Mebane leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mebane rent compare to the national average?

Mebane's median rent of $1,635/mo is $330 (17%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #83 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,635/mo, rent takes ~24% of Mebane's median household income ($83,174/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mebane 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Mebane affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Mebane, NC

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