At $2,347/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,347 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Carolina Beach changed +4.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($94,398) is $2,360 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,210); a 4-bedroom is $2,630.
Wilmington, 12 miles away, rents for 27% less ($1,713/mo), about $7,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carolina Beach. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carolina Beach, NC has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Carolina Beach on your salary?
At $2,347/mo, how Carolina Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carolina Beach rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carolina Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carolina Beach
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carolina Beach is $2,347/mo as of October 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 30% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Carolina Beach?
Is rent going up or down in Carolina Beach?
How does Carolina Beach rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carolina Beach?
At $2,347/mo, rent takes ~30% of Carolina Beach's median household income ($94,398/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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