salaryRent is lower than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,240 a year. That is $25 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 58 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Morganton?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Morganton
| Size | Morganton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $717 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $987 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,126 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Morganton 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 Morganton
Life in Morganton
What jobs pay in Morganton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | 11.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | 12.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | 12.1% |
| Software Developer | $122,540 | 12.5% |
| Lawyer | $97,330 | 15.8% |
| Operations Manager | $95,640 | 16.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,720 | 16.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | 16.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,970 | 16.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | 19.2% |
| Accountant | $77,490 | 19.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,450 | 20.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,430 | 24.6% |
| Truck Driver | $57,460 | 26.8% |
| Electrician | $53,730 | 28.6% |
| Police Officer | $52,260 | 29.4% |
| Plumber | $51,330 | 29.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,300 | 30.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $49,540 | 31.0% |
| Carpenter | $48,260 | 31.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | 35.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,240 | 38.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,790 | 40.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | 41.1% |
| Firefighter | $36,340 | 42.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,520 | 50.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,380 | 50.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,310 | 52.4% |
| Cashier | $27,570 | 55.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Morganton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $257 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $221,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Morganton, NC?
Renting in Morganton costs a median of about $1,281 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Morganton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,240 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Morganton cheap or expensive?
Morganton is rated OK: rent takes 27.8% of the typical household income of $55,386. It ranks 58th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Morganton?
The median homeowner in Morganton pays $1,689 a year in property taxes, about 0.76% of the median home value.
Is Morganton 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 Morganton?
The median home value in Morganton is $221,700, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
17,646 people live in Morganton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.