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City Report · NC

Wilson

Pop. 48,370·99th most expensive in North Carolina·Wilson rents are up 10.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,458/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.8%
Month-over-Month
-1.2%
vs US Median
-$507
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wilson · $1,458
More affordable than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,458/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$58,000/yr
Local median income
$52,485/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wilson's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$850
1 BR
$855
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,395
4 BR+
$1,600
Research median
$1,070/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
$17,496/yr
At $1,458/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.8% YoY, -1.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wilson, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
48,370
Median income
$52,485
Median age
39.5
Renters
50.9%
Age distribution
22.9%
22.4%
23.5%
13%
18.1%
Under 1822.9%
18–3422.4%
35–5423.5%
55–6413%
65+18.1%
Gender
46.6%
53.4%
Male46.6%
Female53.4%
Race & ethnicity
36%
47.2%
12.5%
White36%
Black47.2%
Hispanic12.5%
Asian1.7%
Other2.5%
Education (25+)
14.8%
32%
28.7%
24.5%
No HS diploma14.8%
HS diploma32%
Some college28.7%
Bachelor's+24.5%
Housing tenure
49.1%
50.9%
Owner49.1%
Renter50.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wilson, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,146 → $52,485
up 13.7%
Population
47,914 → 48,370
up 1.0%
Renter share
50.3% → 50.9%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
22.3% → 24.5%
+2.2 pts
Median age
38.1 → 39.5
+1.4 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $46,146 in 2021 to $52,485 more recently. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 47,914 residents to roughly 48,370. College-educated residents now make up 24.5% of adults here, versus 22.3% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Wilson

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

Can you afford rent in Wilson on your salary?

At $1,458/mo, how Wilson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wilson rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wilson

About renting in Wilson, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wilson is $1,458/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $855/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,395/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($52,485/yr), Wilson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wilson an affordable city for renters?

Wilson is considered moderate for renters. At $1,458/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($52,485/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wilson slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Wilson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,458/mo in Wilson. The local median household income is $52,485/yr, meaning the typical Wilson household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wilson?

Rent in Wilson has increased 10.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Wilson neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Wilson are 27893 ($1,221/mo), and 27896 ($1,718/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Wilson is $1,458/mo.

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

Wilson is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #99 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,458/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wilson?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wilson ($1,458/mo): Nashville ($1,260/mo), Rocky Mount ($1,300/mo), Goldsboro ($1,388/mo).

What percentage of Wilson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.9% of Wilson households are renters, while 49.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Wilson has a strong rental market.

How does Wilson rent compare to the national average?

Wilson's median rent of $1,458/mo is $507 (26%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #99 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,458/mo, rent takes ~33% of Wilson's median household income ($52,485/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wilson, NC

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