Raleigh rent prices in 2026: high incomes keep rent at 22% of pay
The typical rent in Raleigh is $1,577 a month as of August 2026, according to RentDataNow data built on the Zillow Observed Rent Index. It's up 0.7% from a year earlier and about 19% below the national typical rent of $1,948.
What stands out is how little of a typical paycheck that takes. Raleigh's median household income is $85,395, so a year of typical rent eats 22.2% of it. A household needs about $63,080 a year to keep typical rent at the 30% guideline.
Raleigh rent by apartment size
Apartment size | Estimated monthly rent |
|---|---|
$1,251 | |
$1,299 | |
$1,438 | |
$1,789 | |
$2,414 |
These size figures are estimates based on HUD fair market rents, adjusted to line up with the city's typical rent. The typical-rent figure also covers rented houses, which is why it runs above the two-bedroom estimate.
Five years of Raleigh rent
Typical rent was $1,287 in 2021 and is up $290, or 22.5%, since then. Median household income rose 17.0% between the Census Bureau's 2021 and 2024 surveys, so rent has gained some ground on pay even here. About 49% of Raleigh households rent, according to the Census Bureau, and our Raleigh affordability page runs the numbers for other incomes.
Where rent is lowest and highest
The cheapest Raleigh zip codes are 27613 at $1,394, 27609 at $1,441, and 27606 at $1,466. The priciest are 27608 at $2,038, 27610 at $1,860, and 27605 at $1,763, where rent slipped 2.2% over the year.
Renters in Raleigh can bargain, too. In July, 65.4% of rental listings in the Raleigh metro offered a concession, according to Zillow, the fifth-highest share among the country's 50 biggest metros. Our Rent Reality Score rates Raleigh a 71 out of 100, with rent about 10.6% below its long-run trend. We compare the rest of the state in the cheapest cities to rent in North Carolina.
Sources
RentDataNow Raleigh rent data, anchored to the Zillow Observed Rent Index, August 2026, with apartment-size estimates based on HUD fair market rents
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, for median household income and the share of households that rent
Zillow Research, July 2026 rent report, for concession shares
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Raleigh, NC?
Typical rent in Raleigh is $1,577 a month as of August 2026, up 0.7% from a year earlier and about 19% below the national typical rent of $1,948. A one-bedroom runs about $1,299 and a two-bedroom about $1,438.
How much do you need to make to live in Raleigh?
About $63,080 a year to keep the typical $1,577 rent at 30% of gross income. The median Raleigh household earns $85,395, so typical rent takes only about 22.2% of its income.
Is Raleigh rent going up?
Slightly. Typical rent rose 0.7% over the year ending in August 2026, behind the national 2.6%. Over five years it's up 22.5%, from $1,287 in 2021, a bit faster than local income growth.
Related Rent Guides
The best big cities for a two-bedroom on a $2,000 budget
Our estimated two-bedroom rent is $2,000 or less in 54 of the 87 US cities with at least 250,000 residents. Raleigh, Colorado Spri…
Best Cities for Remote Workers on a $60,000 Salary
A $60,000 remote salary is enough to live well in a lot of American cities and barely enough in others. The 30% rule puts the ceil…
What are the best cities for renters with dogs?
Renting with a dog costs more than the listed rent. Most apartments charge a non-refundable pet deposit of $200 to $500 and a mont…
Jennifer Han is the editor in chief of RentDataNow, covering rent trends, housing costs, and more. She was a real-estate agent before she moved to writing about the market.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.