salaryRent is lower than in 84% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $42,600 a year. That is $20 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 34 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rocky Mount?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rocky Mount
| Size | Rocky Mount | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $872 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $951 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $946 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,170 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,645 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rocky Mount overall?
Everyday prices in the Rocky Mount metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Rocky Mount
Life in Rocky Mount
What jobs pay in Rocky Mount
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,320 | 9.6% |
| Software Developer | $130,600 | 9.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,880 | 10.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $116,930 | 10.9% |
| Lawyer | $99,420 | 12.9% |
| Operations Manager | $94,610 | 13.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,390 | 14.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $85,490 | 14.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,310 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,300 | 15.5% |
| Accountant | $76,960 | 16.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,730 | 18.6% |
| Police Officer | $62,750 | 20.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,080 | 20.6% |
| Electrician | $58,710 | 21.8% |
| Plumber | $56,220 | 22.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $55,690 | 22.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,670 | 26.3% |
| Truck Driver | $48,090 | 26.6% |
| Carpenter | $47,490 | 26.9% |
| Firefighter | $46,210 | 27.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,950 | 32.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,650 | 33.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,550 | 35.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $34,680 | 36.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $29,070 | 44.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,830 | 44.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,900 | 47.5% |
| Cashier | $26,610 | 48.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rocky Mount?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $85 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $165,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,570 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rocky Mount, NC?
Renting in Rocky Mount costs a median of about $1,065 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Rocky Mount?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $42,600 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rocky Mount cheap or expensive?
Rocky Mount is rated OK: rent takes 21.3% of the typical household income of $59,893. It ranks 34th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rocky Mount?
The median homeowner in Rocky Mount pays $1,461 a year in property taxes, about 0.88% of the median home value.
Is Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount?
The median home value in Rocky Mount is $165,700, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
54,297 people live in Rocky Mount. Numbers are typical (middle) values.