City Report · NC

Mount Holly

Pop. 18,208·48th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Mount Holly, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,808/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.0%
Month-over-Month
+1.1%
vs US Median
-$154
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mount Holly · $1,808
More affordable than 53% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Mount Holly's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,808/mo
Expected by trend
$1,867/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Mount Holly's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,240
1 BR
$1,290
2 BR
$1,430
3 BR
$1,760
4 BR+
$2,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,430/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,808 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,696/yr
At $1,808/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.0% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mount Holly, NC is majority owner-occupied, 36.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,208
Median income
$79,385
Median age
39
Renters
31.2%
Age distribution
23.3%
19.9%
31.2%
14.2%
Under 1823.3%
18–3419.9%
35–5431.2%
55–6414.2%
65+11.6%
Gender
46.2%
53.8%
Male46.2%
Female53.8%
Race & ethnicity
67.6%
16.8%
White67.6%
Black16.8%
Hispanic9.8%
Asian3.4%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
22.6%
32.4%
36.7%
No HS diploma8.3%
HS diploma22.6%
Some college32.4%
Bachelor's+36.7%
Housing tenure
68.8%
31.2%
Owner68.8%
Renter31.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Mount Holly, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,496 → $1,808
up 20.9%
Income
$64,742 → $79,385
up 22.6%
Population
17,315 → 18,208
up 5.2%
Renter share
33.4% → 31.2%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
35.2% → 36.7%
+1.5 pts
Median age
37.4 → 39
+1.6 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Mount Holly, NC has increased by $312 per month, settling near $1,808 after starting the period at $1,496. Census figures show median household income at $79,385 today, compared with $64,742 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 17,315 to 18,208 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.2% change. About 31.2% of households rent today, against 33.4% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Mount Holly on your salary?

At $1,808/mo, how Mount Holly rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mount Holly rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mount Holly

About renting in Mount Holly, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Mount Holly is $1,808/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,240/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,430/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,290/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,760/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($79,385/yr), Mount Holly ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mount Holly an affordable city for renters?

Mount Holly is considered affordable for renters. At $1,808/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($79,385/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mount Holly falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,808/mo in Mount Holly. The local median household income is $79,385/yr, meaning the typical Mount Holly household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mount Holly?

Rent in Mount Holly has increased 2.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Mount Holly is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #48 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,808/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mount Holly?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Mount Holly ($1,808/mo): Dallas ($1,643/mo), Stanley ($1,721/mo), Denver ($1,778/mo).

What percentage of Mount Holly residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.2% of Mount Holly households are renters, while 68.8% are owner-occupied. Mount Holly leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mount Holly rent compare to the national average?

Mount Holly's median rent of $1,808/mo is $154 (8%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #48 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,808/mo, rent takes ~27% of Mount Holly's median household income ($79,385/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mount Holly 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Mount Holly affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Mount Holly, NC

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