At $1,564/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,564 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 Carrboro changed +3.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($85,743) is $2,144 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,870); a 3-bedroom is $2,330.
Burlington, 22 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,310/mo), about $3,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carrboro. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Carrboro, NC is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 69.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carrboro, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $76,599 in 2021 to $85,743 more recently. The renter share has eased from 58% to 56.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
Discussions about Carrboro
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Carrboro on your salary?
At $1,564/mo, how Carrboro rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carrboro rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carrboro. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carrboro
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carrboro is $1,564/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,545/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,870/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,635/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,330/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($85,743/yr), Carrboro ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Carrboro?
Is rent going up or down in Carrboro?
Which Carrboro neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Carrboro rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carrboro?
At $1,564/mo, rent takes ~22% of Carrboro's median household income ($85,743/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Carrboro.
No discussions yet.