City Report · NC

Bolivia

Pop. 247·15th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Bolivia, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,991/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.3%
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
+$59
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bolivia · $1,991
More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
42% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,991/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$80,000/yr
Local median income
$57,159/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bolivia's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,110
1 BR
$1,220
2 BR
$1,350
3 BR
$1,890
4 BR+
$2,270
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,350/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,991 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in Bolivia changed +3.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($57,159) is $1,429 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,350); a 3-bedroom is $1,890.

Cheaper nearby

Shallotte, 13 miles away, rents for 12% less ($1,748/mo), about $2,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bolivia. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$23,892/yr
At $1,991/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (3.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.3% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

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Demographics

Who lives here

Bolivia, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 46.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
247
Median income
$57,159
Median age
37.5
Renters
12.9%
Age distribution
23.1%
25.1%
18.6%
25.9%
Under 1823.1%
18–3425.1%
35–5418.6%
55–647.3%
65+25.9%
Gender
53.4%
46.6%
Male53.4%
Female46.6%
Race & ethnicity
84.2%
White84.2%
Black2.8%
Hispanic10.5%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
29.8%
15.5%
46.4%
No HS diploma8.3%
HS diploma29.8%
Some college15.5%
Bachelor's+46.4%
Housing tenure
87.1%
12.9%
Owner87.1%
Renter12.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bolivia, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$33,056 → $57,159
up 72.9%
Population
194 → 247
up 27.3%
Renter share
27.8% → 12.9%
-14.9 pts
Bachelor's+
44.1% → 46.4%
+2.3 pts
Median age
43.9 → 37.5
-6.4 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $33,056 in 2021 to $57,159 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 194 to 247 between 2021 and 2024, a 27.3% change. About 12.9% of households rent today, against 27.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 44.1% to 46.4%.

Community

Discussions about Bolivia

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View Bolivia rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bolivia on your salary?

At $1,991/mo, how Bolivia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bolivia rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bolivia. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bolivia

About renting in Bolivia, NC

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Bolivia is $1,991/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,110/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,350/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,890/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($57,159/yr), Bolivia ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Bolivia?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,991/mo in Bolivia. The local median household income is $57,159/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Bolivia?

Rent in Bolivia has risen 3.3% over the past year.

How does Bolivia rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Bolivia is one of the pricier among North Carolina cities for rent, ranking #15 of 129 tracked cities at $1,991/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Bolivia changed +3.3%, against a typical +2.9% across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bolivia?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Bolivia ($1,991/mo) include Leland ($1,697/mo), Belville ($1,714/mo), and Shallotte ($1,748/mo).
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $1,991/mo, rent takes ~42% of Bolivia's median household income ($57,159/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bolivia 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Bolivia affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bolivia
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bolivia, NC

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