At $1,275/mo, rent takes about 35% 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 $1,275 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
30% of the median household income ($44,086) is $1,102 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,000); a 2-bedroom is $1,120.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Sylva. 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
Sylva, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 30.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Sylva, NC has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Sylva, NC now reports about $44,086, up from $38,881 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 2,611 to 2,646 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.3% change. About 54.7% of households rent today, against 59.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 36.7% to 30.7%.
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Can you afford rent in Sylva on your salary?
At $1,275/mo, how Sylva rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Sylva rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Sylva. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Sylva
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Sylva is $1,275/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($44,086/yr), Sylva ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Sylva?
Is rent going up or down in Sylva?
How does Sylva rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sylva?
At $1,275/mo, rent takes ~35% of Sylva's median household income ($44,086/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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