Average Rent in North Carolina (2026)
The average 1-bedroom fair market rent in North Carolina is $1,029/month as of 2026, covering 734 cities and 1,032 ZIP codes. Rents statewide have changed -1.6% year over year, so an increase above 1.6% exceeds the statewide trend. Data source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.
Average 1-Bedroom Fair Market Rent
$1,029/mo
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent FY2026 · 1,032 zip codes
Year-over-Year
↓ -1.6%
Source: Apartment List
Includes all regions. Charlotte average: $1,637/mo →
Data through
The average 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina is $1,029/month according to HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent data, covering 734 cities and 1,032 ZIP codes. Rents have decreased 1.6% year-over-year. The average 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina is 14% below the national average of $1,196/month.
Key Facts
How much is rent in North Carolina?
The average 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina is $1,029/month as of 2026, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across 734 cities and 1,032 ZIP codes. Rents statewide have changed -1.6% year over year. Rents vary widely by city — see the table below for a breakdown.
What is a fair rent increase in North Carolina?
Based on market data, a rent increase around 1.6% is broadly in line with the North Carolina statewide trend for 2026. Increases above this level exceed the statewide average, though local conditions vary significantly. Check city and ZIP-level pages for your specific area.
Rent by City in North Carolina
| City | 1-BR Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $1,637 |
| Raleigh | $1,655 |
| Greensboro | $1,229 |
| Winston | $1,106 |
| Durham | $1,535 |
| Asheville | $1,472 |
| Fayetteville | $1,114 |
| Hickory | $888 |
| Winston Salem | $1,123 |
| Wilmington | $1,555 |
| Rocky Mount | $880 |
| Greenville | $907 |
| Davidson County | $892 |
| Jacksonville | $1,016 |
| Burlington | $1,206 |
| Avery County | $773 |
| Craven County | $938 |
| Goldsboro | $990 |
| Iredell County | $1,220 |
| Cleveland County | $770 |
Showing top 20 of 734 cities.
Sorted by number of zip codes. Source: HUD SAFMR FY2026.
Questions about rent in North Carolina
What is the average 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
The average 1-bedroom fair market rent in North Carolina is $1,029/month as of 2026, based on statewide coverage across 734 cities and 1,032 ZIP codes. This is 14% below the national average of $1,196/month.
What is a fair rent increase in North Carolina?
A rent increase up to about 1.6% is roughly in line with the recent statewide trend in North Carolina. A larger increase is above trend and should be checked against local city and ZIP data. The statewide average 1-BR rent is $1,029/month — your specific city may differ significantly.
Are rents going up or down in North Carolina?
Statewide rents in North Carolina have decreased 1.6% year over year based on the trend shown on this page. This is based on Apartment List data covering multiple cities and ZIP codes across the state.
How broad is the rent coverage in North Carolina?
This page summarizes rent benchmarks across 734 cities and 1,032 ZIP codes in North Carolina, giving a broad statewide view before drilling down into city and ZIP-level pages. Data is sourced from HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents (FY2026) and supplemented with Apartment List trend data where available.
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Renter Tools
Explore Cities in North Carolina
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Renter Guides
- How to Negotiate a Rent Increase →
A data-driven guide with free email templates for pushing back on your landlord.
- Rent Increase Laws in North Carolina →
See notice rules, caps, and tenant protections in North Carolina.
- What Should I Pay for Rent? →
How to compare rent prices and know if you're getting a fair deal.
Market data updated monthly from public and third-party sources. Actual rents vary by unit, building, and lease terms. For informational purposes only — not legal or financial advice. See methodology →