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City Report · NC

Swannanoa

Pop. 6,901·23rd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Swannanoa, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,947/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+6.4%
vs US Median
-$15
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Swannanoa · $1,947
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,947/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$69,760/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Swannanoa's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,290
1 BR
$1,350
2 BR
$1,520
3 BR
$1,950
4 BR+
$2,570
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,520/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,947 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
$23,364/yr
At $1,947/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, +6.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Swannanoa, NC is majority owner-occupied, 27.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,901
Median income
$69,760
Median age
37.1
Renters
21.4%
Age distribution
23.5%
24.8%
25.3%
16.4%
Under 1823.5%
18–3424.8%
35–5425.3%
55–649.9%
65+16.4%
Gender
52.5%
47.5%
Male52.5%
Female47.5%
Race & ethnicity
72.8%
23.9%
White72.8%
Black1.3%
Hispanic23.9%
Other1.8%
Education (25+)
25.8%
25.9%
20.9%
27.4%
No HS diploma25.8%
HS diploma25.9%
Some college20.9%
Bachelor's+27.4%
Housing tenure
78.6%
21.4%
Owner78.6%
Renter21.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Swannanoa, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$47,633 → $69,760
up 46.5%
Population
4,589 → 6,901
up 50.4%
Renter share
33.6% → 21.4%
-12.2 pts
Bachelor's+
19.1% → 27.4%
+8.3 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Swannanoa, NC now reports about $69,760, up from $47,633 in 2021. The population has grown by 50.4% since 2021, moving from about 4,589 residents to roughly 6,901. Renters now make up 21.4% of households, compared with 33.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 27.4% of adults here, versus 19.1% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Swannanoa on your salary?

At $1,947/mo, how Swannanoa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Swannanoa rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Swannanoa

About renting in Swannanoa, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Swannanoa is $1,947/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,520/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,350/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,950/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($69,760/yr), Swannanoa ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Swannanoa an affordable city for renters?

Swannanoa is considered moderate for renters. At $1,947/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($69,760/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Swannanoa slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Swannanoa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,947/mo in Swannanoa. The local median household income is $69,760/yr, meaning the typical Swannanoa household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Swannanoa?

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

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

Swannanoa is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #23 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,947/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Swannanoa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Swannanoa ($1,947/mo): Arden ($1,569/mo), Asheville ($1,679/mo), Weaverville ($1,716/mo).

What percentage of Swannanoa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.4% of Swannanoa households are renters, while 78.6% are owner-occupied. Swannanoa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Swannanoa rent compare to the national average?

Swannanoa's median rent of $1,947/mo is $15 (1%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #23 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,947/mo, rent takes ~33% of Swannanoa's median household income ($69,760/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Swannanoa 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Swannanoa affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Swannanoa
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Swannanoa, NC

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