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City Report · NC

Rocky Mount

Pop. 54,297·114th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,300/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.6%
Month-over-Month
+3.2%
vs US Median
-$665
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rocky Mount · $1,300
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
64/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Rocky Mount's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,300/mo
Expected by trend
$1,396/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rocky Mount's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$887
1 BR
$890
2 BR
$1,113
3 BR
$1,517
4 BR+
$1,757
Research median
$1,113/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
$15,600/yr
At $1,300/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 1.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.6% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rocky Mount, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
54,297
Median income
$55,534
Median age
40.7
Renters
51%
Age distribution
22%
21.9%
23%
13%
20.1%
Under 1822%
18–3421.9%
35–5423%
55–6413%
65+20.1%
Gender
47.2%
52.8%
Male47.2%
Female52.8%
Race & ethnicity
26.9%
62.6%
White26.9%
Black62.6%
Hispanic5.5%
Asian1.6%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
12.7%
32.5%
31.8%
22.9%
No HS diploma12.7%
HS diploma32.5%
Some college31.8%
Bachelor's+22.9%
Housing tenure
49%
51%
Owner49%
Renter51%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Rocky Mount, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,012 → $1,300
up 28.5%
Income
$46,396 → $55,534
up 19.7%
Population
54,375 → 54,297
down 0.1%
Renter share
50.1% → 51%
+0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
22% → 22.9%
+0.9 pts

Compared with 2022, rent in Rocky Mount, NC has climbed by $288 per month, settling near $1,300 after starting the period at $1,012. Median household income grew from $46,396 to $55,534 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.7% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 8.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Rocky Mount, NC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Rocky Mount on your salary?

At $1,300/mo, how Rocky Mount rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rocky Mount rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rocky Mount

About renting in Rocky Mount, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Rocky Mount is $1,300/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $887/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,113/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $890/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,517/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($55,534/yr), Rocky Mount ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rocky Mount an affordable city for renters?

Rocky Mount is considered affordable for renters. At $1,300/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($55,534/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rocky Mount falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,300/mo in Rocky Mount. The local median household income is $55,534/yr, meaning the typical Rocky Mount household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rocky Mount?

Rent in Rocky Mount has increased 1.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Rocky Mount neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Rocky Mount are 27801 ($1,184/mo), 27803 ($1,217/mo), and 27804 ($1,415/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Rocky Mount is $1,300/mo.

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

Rocky Mount is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #114 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,300/mo.

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

Nashville is nearby and more affordable at $1,260/mo, which is $40 less than Rocky Mount.

What percentage of Rocky Mount residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51% of Rocky Mount households are renters, while 49% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Rocky Mount has a strong rental market.

How does Rocky Mount rent compare to the national average?

Rocky Mount's median rent of $1,300/mo is $665 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #114 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,300/mo, rent takes ~28% of Rocky Mount's median household income ($55,534/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rocky Mount 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Rocky Mount affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Rocky Mount
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rocky Mount, NC

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