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City Report · NC

Mount Airy

Pop. 10,633·107th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Mount Airy, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,430/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.3%
vs US Median
-$535
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mount Airy · $1,430
More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
43% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,430/mo, rent takes about 43% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$57,000/yr
Local median income
$40,275/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Mount Airy's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$810
1 BR
$850
2 BR
$1,000
3 BR
$1,310
4 BR+
$1,510
Research median
$1,000/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: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$17,160/yr
At $1,430/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mount Airy, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,633
Median income
$40,275
Median age
46
Renters
44.6%
Age distribution
21.2%
17.5%
23%
12.7%
25.6%
Under 1821.2%
18–3417.5%
35–5423%
55–6412.7%
65+25.6%
Gender
46.3%
53.7%
Male46.3%
Female53.7%
Race & ethnicity
80.4%
White80.4%
Black8.6%
Hispanic10%
Asian2.2%
Education (25+)
14.6%
28.9%
33.4%
23.1%
No HS diploma14.6%
HS diploma28.9%
Some college33.4%
Bachelor's+23.1%
Housing tenure
55.4%
44.6%
Owner55.4%
Renter44.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Mount Airy, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$33,773 → $40,275
up 19.3%
Population
10,547 → 10,633
up 0.8%
Renter share
44.7% → 44.6%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
25.2% → 23.1%
-2.1 pts
Median age
45.4 → 46
+0.6 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $40,275 today, compared with $33,773 five years earlier. College-educated residents now make up 23.1% of adults here, versus 25.2% in 2021.

Community

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View Mount Airy rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Mount Airy on your salary?

At $1,430/mo, how Mount Airy rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mount Airy rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mount Airy

About renting in Mount Airy, NC

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Mount Airy is $1,430/mo as of March 2026. A studio apartment averages $810/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,310/mo.

At 43% of local median household income ($40,275/yr), Mount Airy ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mount Airy an affordable city for renters?

Mount Airy is considered stretched for renters. At $1,430/mo, rent takes approximately 43% of the local median household income ($40,275/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mount Airy significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Mount Airy?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,430/mo in Mount Airy. The local median household income is $40,275/yr, meaning the typical Mount Airy household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mount Airy?

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

How does Mount Airy rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Mount Airy is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #107 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,430/mo.

What percentage of Mount Airy residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.6% of Mount Airy households are renters, while 55.4% are owner-occupied. Mount Airy leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mount Airy rent compare to the national average?

Mount Airy's median rent of $1,430/mo is $535 (27%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #107 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
43%
STRETCHED

At $1,430/mo, rent takes ~43% of Mount Airy's median household income ($40,275/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mount Airy 43%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Mount Airy affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Mount Airy, NC

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