Cost of Living in Forsyth County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Forsyth County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Forsyth County ranks #2,404 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 23%)
Sourced county brief
Forsyth County Median Gross Rent Reaches $1,098 per Month
In Forsyth County, the median gross rent was estimated at $1,098 per month, a figure that is $121 higher than the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $977. The median home value was recorded at $250,400, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $235,312. For homeowners across all units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,090, compared to the unweighted county mean of $927. The median renter-household income in the county was $43,013. The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) from ACS table B25071 was 29.6%. This official metric differs by 0.7 percentage points from the North Carolina unweighted county mean GRAPI of 28.9%. These figures are provided as a snapshot for the 2020-2024 period using the acs5-2020-2024 dataset and cost-brief-v1 methodology. Data was last reviewed on 2026-07-10. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Forsyth County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.6% of renter household income in Forsyth County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,098 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,090. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $43,920 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $977 per month. Forsyth County's $1,098 median is 12.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Forsyth County
Rent Burden
19.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,567
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.5%
of gross income
The median home in Forsyth County may be a stretch
Median home value is $250,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,999 vs. your max of $1,567.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Forsyth County, North Carolina?
What is the median rent in Forsyth County?
Is Forsyth County affordable?
How does Forsyth County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Forsyth County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Forsyth County, North Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Forsyth County
Whether you're buying in Forsyth County, North Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.