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City Report · NC

Carolina Beach

Pop. 6,745·1st most expensive in North Carolina·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,691/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
+$726
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carolina Beach · $2,691
More expensive than 84% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,691/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$108,000/yr
Local median income
$94,398/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carolina Beach's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,150
1 BR
$1,510
2 BR
$1,670
3 BR
$2,210
4 BR+
$2,630
Research median
$1,670/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$32,292/yr
At $2,691/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carolina Beach, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 50.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,745
Median income
$94,398
Median age
53.2
Renters
15.6%
Age distribution
13.4%
32.9%
22.8%
20%
Under 1813.4%
18–3410.8%
35–5432.9%
55–6422.8%
65+20%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
91.4%
White91.4%
Hispanic6.4%
Asian1.2%
Other1%
Education (25+)
22%
26.5%
50.5%
No HS diploma1%
HS diploma22%
Some college26.5%
Bachelor's+50.5%
Housing tenure
84.4%
15.6%
Owner84.4%
Renter15.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Carolina Beach, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$78,670 → $94,398
up 20.0%
Population
6,456 → 6,745
up 4.5%
Renter share
30.3% → 15.6%
-14.7 pts
Bachelor's+
42% → 50.5%
+8.5 pts
Median age
51 → 53.2
+2.2 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $78,670 in 2021 to $94,398 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 6,456 to 6,745 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.5% change. About 15.6% of households rent today, against 30.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 42% to 50.5%.

Community

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View Carolina Beach rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carolina Beach on your salary?

At $2,691/mo, how Carolina Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carolina Beach rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carolina Beach

About renting in Carolina Beach, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carolina Beach is $2,691/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,670/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,510/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,210/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($94,398/yr), Carolina Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carolina Beach an affordable city for renters?

Carolina Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $2,691/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($94,398/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carolina Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Carolina Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $108,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,691/mo in Carolina Beach. The local median household income is $94,398/yr, meaning the typical Carolina Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carolina Beach?

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

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

Carolina Beach is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #1 out of 126 tracked cities at $2,691/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carolina Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carolina Beach ($2,691/mo): Leland ($1,671/mo), Wilmington ($1,694/mo), Bolivia ($1,774/mo).

What percentage of Carolina Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 15.6% of Carolina Beach households are renters, while 84.4% are owner-occupied. Carolina Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carolina Beach rent compare to the national average?

Carolina Beach's median rent of $2,691/mo is $726 (37%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #1 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $2,691/mo, rent takes ~34% of Carolina Beach's median household income ($94,398/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carolina Beach 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Carolina Beach affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carolina Beach, NC

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