How much does it cost to rent in Salisbury, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Salisbury, NC is $1,206. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Salisbury cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Salisbury is among the more affordable cities in North Carolina, ranking #119 out of 126 cities at $1,206/mo.

When was Salisbury rent data last updated?

Salisbury rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NC

Salisbury

Name: Average Rent Prices in Salisbury, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 35,825·119th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,206/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.7%

Month-over-Month

-2.7%

vs US Median

-$759

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Salisbury rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Salisbury · $1,206

More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

66/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Salisbury's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,206/mo

Expected by trend

$1,314/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Salisbury's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,020

1 BR

$1,027

2 BR

$1,257

3 BR

$1,653

4 BR+

$2,110

Research median

$1,257/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$14,472/yr

At $1,206/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 1.7% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.7% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Salisbury, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 29.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

35,825

Median income

$53,716

Median age

36.5

Renters

48.2%

Age distribution

21.9%

24.8%

25.3%

17.1%

Under 1821.9%

18–3424.8%

35–5425.3%

55–6410.8%

65+17.1%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

52.2%

35.3%

White52.2%

Black35.3%

Hispanic11.5%

Asian1%

Education (25+)

12.9%

27.8%

29.4%

29.9%

No HS diploma12.9%

HS diploma27.8%

Some college29.4%

Bachelor's+29.9%

Housing tenure

51.8%

48.2%

Owner51.8%

Renter48.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Salisbury, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$996 → $1,206

up 21.1%

Income

$44,656 → $53,716

up 20.3%

Population

35,258 → 35,825

up 1.6%

Renter share

50.4% → 48.2%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

25.9% → 29.9%

+4.0 pts

Median age

35.8 → 36.5

+0.7 yrs

The median rent in Salisbury, NC stood at $996 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,206, reflecting a 21.1% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $44,656 to $53,716 between 2021 and 2024, a 20.3% shift. The population has grown by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 35,258 residents to roughly 35,825. Renters now make up 48.2% of households, compared with 50.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 29.9% of adults here, versus 25.9% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Salisbury, 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

Discussions about Salisbury

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Salisbury rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Salisbury on your salary?

At $1,206/mo, how Salisbury rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 16.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 23% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 19.9% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 8.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 24.5% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 27.1% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

By apartment size

Salisbury rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Salisbury

About renting in Salisbury, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Salisbury is $1,206/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,020/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,257/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,027/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,653/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($53,716/yr), Salisbury ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Salisbury an affordable city for renters?

Salisbury is considered affordable for renters. At $1,206/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($53,716/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Salisbury falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Salisbury?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,206/mo in Salisbury. The local median household income is $53,716/yr, meaning the typical Salisbury household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Salisbury?

Rent in Salisbury has decreased 1.7% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Salisbury neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Salisbury are 28147 ($1,149/mo), 28144 ($1,354/mo), and 28146 ($1,459/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Salisbury is $1,206/mo.

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

Salisbury is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #119 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,206/mo.

What percentage of Salisbury residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.2% of Salisbury households are renters, while 51.8% are owner-occupied. Salisbury leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Salisbury rent compare to the national average?

Salisbury's median rent of $1,206/mo is $759 (39%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #119 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

27%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,206/mo, rent takes ~27% of Salisbury's median household income ($53,716/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Salisbury 27%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Salisbury affordability calculator →

Nearby cities