Cost of Living in Lenoir 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 Lenoir County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lenoir County ranks #1,303 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 41%)
Sourced county brief
Lenoir County Median Renter-Household Income at $33,070
In Lenoir County, the median renter-household income was estimated at $33,070 for the 2020-2024 period. The median gross rent in the county was $861 per month, which is $116 below the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $977. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 29.0%, a value 0.1 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 28.9%. For owner-occupied units, the median home value was $120,500, while the state unweighted county mean was $235,312. Median selected monthly owner costs were $741, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $927. These findings describe the housing expenditure snapshot for the county without providing relocation advice or financial recommendations. 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: Lenoir County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.0% of renter household income in Lenoir 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 $861 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $741. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $34,440 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. Lenoir County's $861 median is 11.8% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lenoir County
Rent Burden
22.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,053
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Lenoir County
Median home value is $120,500. Estimated monthly cost: $962 vs. your max of $1,053.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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
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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.
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