Rent Trends / NC

Rent Trends in North Carolina: 2015 to 2026

Yearly Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) for 156 cities in North Carolina. The average across tracked cities is $1,735/month in 2026, up from $945 in 2015 (+83.6%). That sits $227 below (-11.6% vs) the U.S. typical rent of $1,962.

Last updated: September 14, 2026

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) · Jan snapshots for 2015–2025; 2026 column = June 2026 release · U.S. typical rent $1,962 (June 2026)

Avg tracked city · 2026

$1,735

Change since 2015

+83.6%

2025 → 2026

+5.6%

Vs U.S. typical

-11.6%

What the North Carolina rent trend shows

This page follows market rents in North Carolina from 2015 through mid-2026 using the same Zillow ZORI vintage for every city in the table. State figures below are simple averages of the tracked cities — useful for comparing places inside North Carolina and stacking the state against the published U.S. typical rent ($1,962/month in June 2026, up from $1,357 in January 2019 on our national series).

Since 2023, the tracked-city average in North Carolina has risen from about $1,557 to $1,735 (+11.4%). That is the post-spike path — not a full reset to mid-2010s rents. The latest year step (2025 → 2026) is +5.6% ($1,643 → $1,735).

Within the state, long-run winners and losers split by city. The largest percentage increase from the earliest reading to 2026 is Gastonia (+109.1%, $718 → $1,501). 20 of 156 tracked cities are higher than their 2015 (or earliest) level.

For the national rent story, see the Rent Index. Statewide maps live on Rent by State. Full city database: Rent by City.

City-level breakdown in North Carolina

Lowest 2026 rents

Eden — $1,011
Henderson — $1,013
Reidsville — $1,048
Asheboro — $1,082
Mount Airy — $1,095

Highest 2026 rents

Mills River — $2,958
Moyock — $2,942
Waxhaw — $2,607
Carolina Beach — $2,580
Stallings — $2,518

Full list with every year from 2015–2026 is in the sortable table below.

All North Carolina cities — yearly rent table

156 of 156 cities

City	Metro	'15	'16	'17	'18	'19	'20	'21	'22	'23	'24	'25	'26	% Chg
Charlotte	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$1,006	$1,062	$1,116	$1,183	$1,258	$1,298	$1,345	$1,575	$1,684	$1,701	$1,712	$1,752	+74.2%
Raleigh	Raleigh-Cary, NC	$982	$1,026	$1,056	$1,106	$1,150	$1,218	$1,242	$1,450	$1,538	$1,544	$1,548	$1,575	+60.4%
Greensboro	Greensboro-High Point, NC	$752	$779	$800	$824	$870	$921	$978	$1,136	$1,240	$1,281	$1,330	$1,391	+85.0%
Durham	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$1,003	$1,045	$1,105	$1,152	$1,200	$1,244	$1,272	$1,482	$1,594	$1,606	$1,607	$1,675	+67.0%
Winston-Salem	Winston-Salem, NC	$789	$811	$838	$876	$926	$962	$1,056	$1,217	$1,304	$1,362	$1,418	$1,525	+93.3%
Fayetteville	Fayetteville, NC	$718	$728	$738	$757	$793	$825	$934	$1,122	$1,209	$1,247	$1,305	$1,368	+90.5%
Wilmington	Wilmington, NC	$878	$907	$948	$997	$1,095	$1,145	$1,220	$1,459	$1,577	$1,573	$1,588	$1,690	+92.5%
Cary	Raleigh-Cary, NC	$1,183	$1,206	$1,244	$1,287	$1,313	$1,361	$1,376	$1,643	$1,733	$1,727	$1,720	$1,791	+51.4%
Concord	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$976	$1,043	$1,065	$1,118	$1,174	$1,239	$1,333	$1,549	$1,658	$1,681	$1,748	$1,824	+86.9%
Asheville	Asheville, NC	$924	$986	$1,019	$1,101	$1,160	$1,185	$1,258	$1,530	$1,622	$1,652	$1,678	$1,679	+81.7%
High Point	Greensboro-High Point, NC	$742	$763	$785	$805	$853	$885	$928	$1,137	$1,214	$1,279	$1,349	$1,402	+88.9%
Jacksonville	Jacksonville, NC	$767	$762	$761	$779	$841	$879	$953	$1,103	$1,218	$1,274	$1,333	$1,407	+83.4%
Greenville	Greenville, NC	$723	$752	$778	$819	$851	$914	$953	$1,060	$1,195	$1,268	$1,314	$1,373	+89.9%
Chapel Hill	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	—	$1,089	$1,102	$1,132	$1,190	$1,235	$1,326	$1,477	$1,579	$1,632	$1,695	$1,698	+55.9%
Gastonia	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$718	$748	$796	$891	$930	$990	$1,076	$1,236	$1,331	$1,396	$1,444	$1,501	+109.1%
Apex	Raleigh-Cary, NC	$1,309	$1,364	$1,381	$1,423	$1,502	$1,495	$1,569	$1,839	$1,915	$1,894	$1,975	$2,026	+54.8%
Mooresville	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$955	$1,009	$1,022	$1,060	$1,094	$1,154	$1,260	$1,447	$1,521	$1,547	$1,553	$1,616	+69.2%
Wake Forest	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	$1,159	$1,166	$1,218	$1,262	$1,327	$1,380	$1,622	$1,718	$1,722	$1,764	$1,812	+56.3%
Lexington	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,573	$1,609	+2.3%
Salisbury	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,031	$1,116	$1,174	$1,220	$1,278	+24.0%
Sanford	Sanford, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,542	$1,684	$1,735	$1,821	+18.1%
Clayton	Raleigh-Cary, NC	$1,118	$1,145	$1,166	$1,229	$1,294	$1,336	$1,440	$1,639	$1,710	$1,786	$1,828	$1,835	+64.1%
Statesville	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,435	$1,478	$1,599	$1,704	+18.7%
Huntersville	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$1,157	$1,206	$1,249	$1,302	$1,329	$1,386	$1,471	$1,688	$1,784	$1,813	$1,874	$1,915	+65.5%
Hickory	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,213	$1,328	$1,334	$1,386	$1,492	+23.0%
Goldsboro	Goldsboro, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,188	$1,244	$1,294	$1,411	+18.8%
Hendersonville	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,637	$1,670	$1,739	+6.2%
Wilson	Wilson, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,272	$1,324	$1,381	+8.6%
Kernersville	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,232	$1,396	$1,518	$1,584	$1,674	$1,793	+45.5%
Burlington	Burlington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,052	$1,140	$1,199	$1,277	$1,321	+25.6%
Monroe	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	$1,072	$1,116	$1,171	$1,222	$1,279	$1,411	$1,589	$1,733	$1,837	$1,877	$1,995	+86.1%
Asheboro	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$956	$987	$1,082	+13.2%
Garner	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	$1,189	$1,257	$1,265	$1,349	$1,464	$1,678	$1,782	$1,805	$1,866	$1,884	+58.5%
Rocky Mount	Rocky Mount, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,075	$1,137	$1,212	$1,300	+20.9%
New Bern	New Bern, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,212	$1,382	$1,403	$1,512	$1,623	+33.9%
Morganton	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,483	+0.0%
Fuquay Varina	Fayetteville, NC	—	$1,229	$1,237	$1,287	$1,364	$1,406	$1,543	$1,741	$1,821	$1,861	$1,893	$1,951	+58.7%
Kannapolis	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	$877	$951	$992	$1,078	$1,178	$1,347	$1,492	$1,530	$1,568	$1,646	+87.7%
Lumberton	Lumberton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,179	+0.0%
Thomasville	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,080	$1,180	$1,210	+12.0%
Raeford	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,402	$1,512	$1,549	$1,651	$1,756	+25.2%
Lenoir	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,245	+0.0%
Holly Springs	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	$1,340	$1,389	$1,472	$1,682	$1,721	$1,820	$1,819	$1,893	+41.3%
Indian Trail	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	$1,264	$1,314	$1,353	$1,410	$1,529	$1,711	$1,866	$1,898	$1,968	$2,032	+60.8%
Lincolnton	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,181	$1,288	+9.1%
Elizabeth City	Elizabeth City, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,274	$1,345	$1,447	$1,524	+19.6%
Henderson	Henderson, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,013	+0.0%
Kinston	Kinston, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,281	+0.0%
Morrisville	Raleigh-Cary, NC	$1,203	$1,207	$1,227	$1,227	$1,286	$1,333	$1,365	$1,620	$1,716	$1,696	$1,650	$1,689	+40.4%
Mebane	Burlington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,358	$1,356	$1,430	$1,464	+7.8%
Reidsville	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,048	+0.0%
Mount Airy	Mount Airy, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,095	+0.0%
Hope Mills	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,453	$1,518	$1,565	$1,687	+16.1%
Shelby	Shelby, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,064	$1,054	$1,110	+4.3%
Waxhaw	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	$1,611	$1,655	$1,745	$1,774	$1,912	$2,161	$2,351	$2,413	$2,448	$2,607	+61.8%
Clemmons	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,530	$1,622	$1,665	$1,758	+14.9%
Knightdale	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,261	$1,449	$1,630	$1,653	$1,699	$1,726	+36.9%
Boone	Boone, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,026	+0.0%
Marion	Marion, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,210	+0.0%
Matthews	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	$1,225	$1,293	$1,340	$1,485	$1,629	$1,733	$1,713	$1,740	$1,752	+43.0%
Zebulon	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,769	$1,859	$1,871	$1,968	+11.2%
Cornelius	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$989	$1,038	$1,093	$1,133	$1,168	$1,204	$1,319	$1,572	$1,637	$1,663	$1,625	$1,704	+72.3%
Waynesville	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,583	+0.0%
Candler	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,827	+0.0%
Albemarle	Albemarle, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,444	+0.0%
Newton	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,236	+0.0%
Smithfield	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,689	$1,793	+6.2%
Graham	Burlington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,295	+0.0%
Winterville	Greenville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,523	$1,580	$1,616	+6.1%
Kings Mountain	Shelby, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,814	+0.0%
Lillington	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,679	+0.0%
Belmont	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,573	$1,719	$1,798	$1,896	$1,945	+23.6%
Hillsborough	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,440	$1,535	$1,467	+1.9%
Spring Lake	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,120	$1,229	$1,287	$1,345	$1,425	+27.2%
Washington	Washington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,184	+0.0%
Mount Holly	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,503	$1,606	$1,638	$1,763	$1,808	+20.3%
Mint Hill	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,737	$1,812	$1,860	+7.1%
Dunn	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,612	+0.0%
Eden	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,011	+0.0%
Hampstead	Wilmington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,821	$1,887	$1,868	$1,995	+9.6%
Wendell	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,844	$1,917	$1,898	+2.9%
Cameron	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,760	$1,906	$1,993	$2,123	+20.6%
Denver	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,636	$1,628	$1,766	$1,778	+8.7%
Harrisburg	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,263	$2,392	+5.7%
Pittsboro	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,863	$1,935	$2,018	+8.3%
Arden	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,457	$1,716	$1,640	$1,625	$1,569	+7.7%
Selma	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,592	+0.0%
Weaverville	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,735	$1,716	-1.1%
Leland	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,639	$1,669	$1,652	$1,691	+3.2%
Newport	Morehead City, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,728	+0.0%
Louisburg	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,411	+0.0%
Brevard	Brevard, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,976	+0.0%
Angier	Fayetteville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,838	$1,902	+3.5%
Havelock	New Bern, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,240	$1,305	$1,384	+11.6%
Richlands	Jacksonville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,557	$1,788	+14.8%
Davidson	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,605	$1,665	$1,873	$2,037	$1,921	+19.7%
Fletcher	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,269	+0.0%
Youngsville	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,911	+0.0%
Dallas	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,543	$1,643	+6.5%
Canton	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,633	+0.0%
Stanley	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,721	+0.0%
Advance	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,751	+0.0%
Browns Summit	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,305	+0.0%
China Grove	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,678	+0.0%
Benson	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,581	+0.0%
Franklinton	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,816	+0.0%
Trinity	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,793	+0.0%
Carthage	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,920	+0.0%
Hubert	Jacksonville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,339	$1,428	$1,486	$1,576	+17.7%
Bessemer City	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,366	+0.0%
Gibsonville	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,936	+0.0%
Pinehurst	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,958	$1,988	$2,095	+7.0%
Four Oaks	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,990	+0.0%
Carrboro	Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,429	$1,479	+3.5%
Morehead City	Morehead City, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,608	$1,682	+4.6%
Black Mountain	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,879	+0.0%
Aberdeen	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,816	$1,803	-0.7%
Southern Pines	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,770	$1,862	$1,904	$1,879	+6.2%
Stallings	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,518	+0.0%
Troutman	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,660	$1,707	$1,854	+11.7%
Supply	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,250	+0.0%
Moyock	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,942	+0.0%
Shallotte	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,709	+0.0%
Pineville	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,919	$1,964	$1,982	$2,069	+7.8%
Rural Hall	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,702	+0.0%
Sneads Ferry	Jacksonville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,750	$1,918	+9.6%
Swannanoa	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,947	+0.0%
Jamestown	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,079	+0.0%
Archdale	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,356	+0.0%
Kill Devil Hills	Kill Devil Hills, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,300	+0.0%
Bolivia	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,838	$1,916	$1,868	+1.6%
Oak Island	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,250	+0.0%
West End	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,300	+0.0%
Parkton	Lumberton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,700	+0.0%
Whitsett	Greensboro-High Point, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,635	$1,832	+12.0%
Walkertown	Winston-Salem, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,000	+0.0%
Castle Hayne	Wilmington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,957	+0.0%
Carolina Beach	Wilmington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,580	+0.0%
Calabash	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,950	+0.0%
Mills River	Asheville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,958	+0.0%
Sherrills Ford	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,033	+0.0%
Vass	Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,100	+0.0%
Holly Ridge	Jacksonville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,580	$1,634	$1,635	$1,763	+11.6%
Sunset Beach	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,378	+0.0%
Rolesville	Raleigh-Cary, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,195	+0.0%
Cramerton	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,850	+0.0%
Fairfield Harbour	New Bern, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,788	+0.0%
Lake Lure	Forest City, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,688	+0.0%
Midland	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,213	+0.0%
Belville	Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,750	+0.0%
Ranlo	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,922	+0.0%
Swansboro	Jacksonville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,563	+0.0%
Terrell	Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,696	+0.0%
North Topsail Beach	Jacksonville, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,200	+0.0%
Surf City	Wilmington, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$2,007	$2,296	+14.4%
Atlantic Beach	Morehead City, NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,400	+0.0%

Click any column header to sort · % Chg uses earliest available year → 2026

Frequently asked questions — North Carolina rent

Is North Carolina cheap to rent in 2026?

Yes — relative to the national market. The average rent across 156 tracked North Carolina cities is about $1,735/month, which is $227 below (-11.6% vs) the U.S. typical rent of $1,962. That is a city-average in our sample, not a single statewide ZORI print, but it is a clear signal that North Carolina screens cheaper than the U.S. typical $1,962.

What city in North Carolina has the cheapest rent?

Among cities in our ZORI sample, Eden is the lowest at about $1,011/month (2026). Other lower-rent cities include Henderson ($1,013), Reidsville ($1,048), Asheboro ($1,082).

What city in North Carolina has the most expensive rent?

Mills River leads our sample at about $2,958/month in 2026, followed by Moyock ($2,942) and Waxhaw ($2,607).

How much have rents in North Carolina changed since 2015?

Across tracked cities, the average moved from about $945 in 2015 to $1,735 in 2026 (+83.6%). 20 of 156 cities are higher than their earliest reading in this series; the largest percentage jump is Gastonia (+109.1%).

Are rents in North Carolina still rising year over year?

From 2025 to 2026, the average across tracked North Carolina cities went from about $1,643 to $1,735 (+5.6%). Since 2023 ($1,557), that is +11.4%. Individual cities can diverge — sort by % Chg or compare the '25 and '26 columns.

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