At $1,134/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly 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 $1,134 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
30% of the median household income ($40,275) is $1,007 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,000); a 3-bedroom is $1,310.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Mount Airy. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Mount Airy, NC has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Mount Airy on your salary?
At $1,134/mo, how Mount Airy rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Mount Airy rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Mount Airy. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Mount Airy
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Mount Airy is $1,134/mo as of October 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 34% 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.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Mount Airy?
How does Mount Airy rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
At $1,134/mo, rent takes ~34% of Mount Airy's median household income ($40,275/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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