Charlotte’s rental market held steady in June, with the city’s overall median rent unchanged at $1,419, according to a new report from Apartment List. This flat month-over-month trend follows a 1.8% decline in rent prices compared to the same time last year. Although rent growth so far in 2025 has outpaced last year’s rate, it remains below national and statewide averages.
From January through June, Charlotte rents rose 1.3%, compared to just 0.5% during the same period in 2024. However, year-over-year, Charlotte’s rent decline exceeds the U.S. average drop of 0.7% and North Carolina’s 1.5% dip. Among the nation’s 100 largest cities, Charlotte ranks #66 for June rent growth, alongside cities like Jacksonville, FL and Dallas, TX, which also posted 0.0% growth last month.
Currently, the median rent in Charlotte stands at $1,290 for a one-bedroom and $1,407 for a two-bedroom. Compared to the national averages ($1,231 for one-bedroom, $1,387 for two-bedroom), Charlotte’s rents are slightly higher. That places the city as the 50th most expensive large rental market in the U.S., close in cost to Nashville, TN and Minneapolis, MN.
Expanding the view to the wider Charlotte metro area, the median rent is $1,349—about 5.2% lower than Charlotte proper. Within the metro, Huntersville has the highest median rent at $1,717, while Kannapolis is the most affordable at $1,216. Huntersville also leads the metro in annual rent growth at 1.2%, while Kannapolis experienced the largest annual decline at -3.3%.
Charlotte Metro Area Rent Snapshot (June 2025)
-
Charlotte – 1BR: $1,290 | 2BR: $1,407 | Y/Y: -1.8%
-
Cornelius – 1BR: $1,217 | 2BR: $1,457 | Y/Y: -1.9%
-
Gastonia – 1BR: $994 | 2BR: $1,230 | Y/Y: +0.6%
-
Huntersville – 1BR: $1,418 | 2BR: $1,650 | Y/Y: +1.2%
-
Kannapolis – 1BR: $996 | 2BR: $1,162 | Y/Y: -3.3%
-
Matthews – 1BR: $1,449 | 2BR: $1,632 | Y/Y: +0.8%
-
Mooresville – 1BR: $1,306 | 2BR: $1,453 | Y/Y: -2.1%
-
Rock Hill – 1BR: $1,159 | 2BR: $1,216 | Y/Y: -2.3%
Charlotte’s rent trajectory in 2025 shows early momentum but remains fragile amid broader market softening. Analysts will be watching closely to see whether this year’s gains hold through the second half.
