Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Burlington, NC
The median monthly rent in Burlington, NC is $1,380, translating to $16,560 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.48% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in Burlington spend approximately 28% of the local median household income ($58,267) on rent. This is within the healthy 25-30% range, indicating rent is affordable relative to local incomes. There may be room for moderate rent increases, especially for updated or well-located units.
The vacancy rate in Burlington is 5.3%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Population growth of 1.5% annually is actively adding rental demand.
Burlington's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 17.5x. A GRM above 16x means the property is expensive relative to its income. Investors here are typically betting on appreciation rather than current cash flow. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $1,380/mo, a single-family rental in Burlington generates approximately $16,560 in gross annual income. After accounting for 5.3% vacancy ($878 lost), property taxes of $2,262, insurance (~$1,160), and maintenance (~$1,160), the estimated NOI is $11,100 per year, or $925/mo.
Burlington vs North Carolina state average and national average across key investment metrics. Burlington beats the national average but trails the North Carolina average on cap rate.