salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $32,240 a year. That is $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 8 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kinston?
Share of households by yearly income. 8.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kinston
| Size | Kinston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,060 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $500 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $950 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $939 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,259 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kinston overall?
Everyday prices in North Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Kinston, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Kinston
Life in Kinston
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kinston?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $22 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $119,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,930 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kinston, NC?
Renting in Kinston costs a median of about $806 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Kinston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $32,240 a year, or $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kinston cheap or expensive?
Kinston is rated OK: rent takes 24.3% of the typical household income of $39,773. It ranks 8th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kinston?
The median homeowner in Kinston pays $1,258 a year in property taxes, about 1.05% of the median home value.
Is Kinston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in North Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kinston?
The median home value in Kinston is $119,300, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
19,505 people live in Kinston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.