Cost of Living in Madison 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 Madison County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Madison County ranks #806 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 26%)
Sourced county brief
Madison County Median Home Value Estimated at $284,600
Madison County's median home value was estimated at $284,600, which is above the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $235,312. The median gross rent in the county was $780 per month. Regarding renter costs relative to income, the official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 26.3%. This official GRAPI figure is 2.6 percentage points below the state unweighted county mean of 28.9%. For owners, the median selected monthly owner cost was $706. Renter-household income was recorded at a median of $36,602. These statistics represent a five-year snapshot of the local housing landscape based on 2020-2024 estimates. The data does not include market forecasts or relocation 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: Madison County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 26.3% of renter household income in Madison 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 $780 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $706. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $31,200 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. Madison County's $780 median is 20.1% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Madison County
Rent Burden
16.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,366
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.5%
of gross income
The median home in Madison County may be a stretch
Median home value is $284,600. Estimated monthly cost: $2,272 vs. your max of $1,366.
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 Madison County, North Carolina?
What is the median rent in Madison County?
Is Madison County affordable?
How does Madison County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Madison County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Madison County, North Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Madison County
Whether you're buying in Madison 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.