salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $30,680 a year. That is $15 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 6 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lenoir?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lenoir
| Size | Lenoir | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $422 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $536 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $728 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $832 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lenoir overall?
Everyday prices in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lenoir
Life in Lenoir
What jobs pay in Lenoir
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | 6.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | 7.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | 7.3% |
| Software Developer | $122,540 | 7.5% |
| Lawyer | $97,330 | 9.5% |
| Operations Manager | $95,640 | 9.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,720 | 9.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | 9.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,970 | 9.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | 11.5% |
| Accountant | $77,490 | 11.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,450 | 12.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,430 | 14.7% |
| Truck Driver | $57,460 | 16.0% |
| Electrician | $53,730 | 17.1% |
| Police Officer | $52,260 | 17.6% |
| Plumber | $51,330 | 17.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,300 | 18.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $49,540 | 18.6% |
| Carpenter | $48,260 | 19.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | 21.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,240 | 22.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,790 | 24.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | 24.6% |
| Firefighter | $36,340 | 25.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,520 | 30.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,380 | 30.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,310 | 31.4% |
| Cashier | $27,570 | 33.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lenoir?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $478 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $179,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,940 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lenoir, NC?
Renting in Lenoir costs a median of about $767 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Lenoir?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $30,680 a year, or $15 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lenoir cheap or expensive?
Lenoir is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.1% of the typical household income of $53,828. It ranks 6th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lenoir?
The median homeowner in Lenoir pays $1,311 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Lenoir more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lenoir?
The median home value in Lenoir is $179,400, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
18,299 people live in Lenoir. Numbers are typical (middle) values.