City Report · NC

Brevard

Pop. 7,897·19th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Brevard, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,976/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.4%
vs US Median
+$14
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brevard · $1,976
More expensive than 57% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,976/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$79,000/yr
Local median income
$54,103/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brevard's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,400
4 BR+
$1,740
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,160/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,976 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: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$23,712/yr
At $1,976/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brevard, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 43.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,897
Median income
$54,103
Median age
50.3
Renters
49.1%
Age distribution
15.8%
18.8%
22%
31.5%
Under 1815.8%
18–3418.8%
35–5422%
55–6412%
65+31.5%
Gender
42.3%
57.7%
Male42.3%
Female57.7%
Race & ethnicity
80.7%
White80.7%
Black10.3%
Hispanic3.8%
Other4.8%
Education (25+)
20%
31.3%
43.5%
No HS diploma5.1%
HS diploma20%
Some college31.3%
Bachelor's+43.5%
Housing tenure
50.9%
49.1%
Owner50.9%
Renter49.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Brevard, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,058 → $54,103
up 17.5%
Population
7,712 → 7,897
up 2.4%
Renter share
41.7% → 49.1%
+7.4 pts
Bachelor's+
37.5% → 43.5%
+6.0 pts
Median age
47.2 → 50.3
+3.1 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $46,058 in 2021 to $54,103 more recently. The population has grown by 2.4% since 2021, moving from about 7,712 residents to roughly 7,897. Renters now make up 49.1% of households, compared with 41.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 43.5% of adults here, versus 37.5% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Brevard on your salary?

At $1,976/mo, how Brevard rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brevard rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brevard

About renting in Brevard, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Brevard is $1,976/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,400/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($54,103/yr), Brevard ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brevard an affordable city for renters?

Brevard is considered stretched for renters. At $1,976/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($54,103/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brevard significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Brevard?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,976/mo in Brevard. The local median household income is $54,103/yr, meaning the typical Brevard household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brevard?

Rent in Brevard has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

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

Brevard is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #19 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,976/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brevard?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Brevard ($1,976/mo): Cullowhee ($1,171/mo), Arden ($1,569/mo), Waynesville ($1,583/mo).

What percentage of Brevard residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.1% of Brevard households are renters, while 50.9% are owner-occupied. Brevard leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Brevard rent compare to the national average?

Brevard's median rent of $1,976/mo is $14 (1%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #19 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $1,976/mo, rent takes ~44% of Brevard's median household income ($54,103/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brevard 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Brevard affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brevard, NC

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