The Burlington water tower stands over the city at sunset.
An aerial view of baseball fields in Springwood Park.
An aerial view of baseball fields in Springwood Park.
A couple walks past historic storefronts in Burlington, NC.
An aerial view of Burlington shows residential neighborhoods.

Burlington, NC

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,160

Population

62,953

Renter Mix

46% Rent

Preservation and innovation drive this central North Carolina community.

Outdoors Historic Walkable

Welcome to Burlington, North Carolina, nestled in the Piedmont region. This historic community offers various rental options from apartments to historic homes. Currently, rental rates remain competitive, with one-bedroom units averaging $1,217 per month and two-bedroom homes at $1,369, showing modest year-over-year increases of 0.8% and 2.2% respectively. Notable areas include Downtown Burlington, with its preserved architecture and local businesses, and the West Davis Street-Fountain Place area, recognized for its historic character. At the center of community life stands Burlington City Park, home to a restored 1910 Dentzel Carousel listed on the National Historical Register, set within 75 acres of recreational space.

Burlington combines historical significance with contemporary amenities. The city serves as headquarters for Labcorp, a major employer in the region. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound along the Haw River Trail and throughout the city's park system. The restored Paramount Theater hosts performances year-round, contributing to the local arts scene. Burlington's heritage as a textile center began in 1908 with the establishment of Edwin M. Holt's cotton mill, though today the economy encompasses diverse industries. The city is home to both Elon University and Alamance Community College. Community traditions continue through events like the Burlington Carousel Festival, which celebrates the city's historic carousel each September.

Explore the City

An aerial view of baseball fields in Springwood Park.

A couple walks past historic storefronts in Burlington, NC.

An aerial view of Burlington shows residential neighborhoods.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$52,479

Average: $68,566

Education

14,222

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

31,159

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

39 Years

Largest Age Group

15-24 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

25%

Over 65

19%

Housing Distribution

Burlington has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
46%
Non-Renters
54%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
19%
Other Education
81%

Rent Trends

As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Burlington, NC is $847 for a studio, $1,162 for one bedroom, $1,330 for two bedrooms, and $1,588 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Burlington has increased by 2.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,162/month
718 Sq Ft
House
$1,873/month
1,507 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,560/month
600 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,643/month
1,021 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Burlington, NC

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Burlington, NC is 8.8% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Burlington is 15.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $847 - $1,588. You can expect to pay 4.6% less for groceries, 11.3% less for utilities, and 5.6% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

60 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

30 / 100

Schools

Marvin B Smith Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

481 Students

Edwin M Holt Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

514 Students

Grove Park Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

390 Students

Clover Garden

Public

Grades K-12

685 Students

Highland Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

648 Students

Broadview Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

797 Students

Clover Garden

Public

Grades K-12

685 Students

Turrentine Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

929 Students

Walter M Williams High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,343 Students

Clover Garden

Public

Grades K-12

685 Students

Hugh M Cummings High

Public

Grades 9-12

981 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Burlington

Houses for Rent in Burlington

Property Management Companies in Burlington, NC

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.