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City Report · NC

Calabash

Pop. 2,377·22nd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Calabash, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,950/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.8%
vs US Median
-$12
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Calabash · $1,950
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,950/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$65,310/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Calabash's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$1,278
2 BR
$1,417
3 BR
$1,172
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,417/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,950 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
$23,400/yr
At $1,950/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Calabash, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
2,377
Median income
$65,310
Median age
56
Renters
30.3%
Age distribution
15.6%
21.7%
20%
32.1%
Under 1810.6%
18–3415.6%
35–5421.7%
55–6420%
65+32.1%
Gender
42.1%
57.9%
Male42.1%
Female57.9%
Race & ethnicity
80.6%
White80.6%
Black5.7%
Hispanic6.4%
Asian1.5%
Other5.8%
Education (25+)
14.9%
38%
25.1%
22.1%
No HS diploma14.9%
HS diploma38%
Some college25.1%
Bachelor's+22.1%
Housing tenure
69.7%
30.3%
Owner69.7%
Renter30.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Calabash, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$43,558 → $65,310
up 49.9%
Population
2,117 → 2,377
up 12.3%
Renter share
39.2% → 30.3%
-8.9 pts
Bachelor's+
21.9% → 22.1%
+0.2 pts

Census figures show median household income at $65,310 today, compared with $43,558 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 2,117 to 2,377 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.3% change. About 30.3% of households rent today, against 39.2% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Calabash on your salary?

At $1,950/mo, how Calabash rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Calabash rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Calabash

About renting in Calabash, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Calabash is $1,950/mo as of August 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,417/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,278/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,172/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($65,310/yr), Calabash ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Calabash an affordable city for renters?

Calabash is considered moderate for renters. At $1,950/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($65,310/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Calabash slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Calabash?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,950/mo in Calabash. The local median household income is $65,310/yr, meaning the typical Calabash household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Calabash?

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

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

Calabash is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #22 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,950/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Calabash?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Calabash ($1,950/mo): Little River ($1,503/mo), North Myrtle Beach ($1,673/mo), Myrtle Beach ($1,697/mo).

What percentage of Calabash residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.3% of Calabash households are renters, while 69.7% are owner-occupied. Calabash leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Calabash rent compare to the national average?

Calabash's median rent of $1,950/mo is $12 (1%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #22 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,950/mo, rent takes ~36% of Calabash's median household income ($65,310/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Calabash 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Calabash affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Calabash, NC

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