At $1,663/mo, rent takes about 31% 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 $1,663 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
Rent in Richlands changed +5.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($65,163) is $1,629 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,210); a 3-bedroom is $1,710.
Jacksonville, 11 miles away, rents for 15% less ($1,421/mo), about $2,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Richlands. 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
Richlands, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 38.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Richlands, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $54,231 in 2021 to $65,163 more recently. The population has contracted by 14.2% since 2021, moving from about 2,721 residents to roughly 2,335. Renters now make up 33.7% of households, compared with 40% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 38.1% of adults here, versus 23.3% in 2021.
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At $1,663/mo, how Richlands rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Richlands rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Richlands. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Richlands
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Richlands is $1,663/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,710/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($65,163/yr), Richlands 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 Richlands?
How does Richlands rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Richlands?
At $1,663/mo, rent takes ~31% of Richlands's median household income ($65,163/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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