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City Report · NC

Richlands

Pop. 2,335·52nd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Richlands, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,779/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+8.3%
vs US Median
-$186
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Richlands · $1,779
More affordable than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,779/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$65,163/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Richlands's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,210
3 BR
$1,710
4 BR+
$2,050
Research median
$1,210/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
$21,348/yr
At $1,779/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +8.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
2,335
Median income
$65,163
Median age
29.5
Renters
33.7%
Age distribution
33.9%
21.8%
30.8%
Under 1833.9%
18–3421.8%
35–5430.8%
55–646.4%
65+7.1%
Gender
52.8%
47.2%
Male52.8%
Female47.2%
Race & ethnicity
71.9%
17.9%
White71.9%
Black17.9%
Hispanic10.4%
Asian1.1%
Education (25+)
28.1%
25.4%
38.1%
No HS diploma8.4%
HS diploma28.1%
Some college25.4%
Bachelor's+38.1%
Housing tenure
66.3%
33.7%
Owner66.3%
Renter33.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Richlands, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$54,231 → $65,163
up 20.2%
Population
2,721 → 2,335
down 14.2%
Renter share
40% → 33.7%
-6.3 pts
Bachelor's+
23.3% → 38.1%
+14.8 pts
Median age
27.7 → 29.5
+1.8 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Richlands on your salary?

At $1,779/mo, how Richlands rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Richlands rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Richlands

About renting in Richlands, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Richlands is $1,779/mo as of July 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 33% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Richlands an affordable city for renters?

Richlands is considered moderate for renters. At $1,779/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($65,163/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Richlands slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Richlands?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,779/mo in Richlands. The local median household income is $65,163/yr, meaning the typical Richlands household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Richlands?

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

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

Richlands is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #52 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,779/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Richlands?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Richlands ($1,779/mo): Kinston ($1,076/mo), Jacksonville ($1,395/mo), Midway Park ($1,469/mo).

What percentage of Richlands residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.7% of Richlands households are renters, while 66.3% are owner-occupied. Richlands leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Richlands rent compare to the national average?

Richlands's median rent of $1,779/mo is $186 (9%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #52 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,779/mo, rent takes ~33% of Richlands's median household income ($65,163/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Richlands 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Richlands affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Richlands, NC

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