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City Report · NC

Carthage

Pop. 2,896·28th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Carthage, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,920/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-5.9%
vs US Median
-$42
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carthage · $1,920
More expensive than 53% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,920/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$77,000/yr
Local median income
$82,695/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carthage's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,230
1 BR
$1,280
2 BR
$1,420
3 BR
$1,990
4 BR+
$2,380
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,420/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,920 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
$23,040/yr
At $1,920/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, -5.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carthage, NC is majority owner-occupied, 30.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
2,896
Median income
$82,695
Median age
44.7
Renters
18.4%
Age distribution
22%
14.5%
31.5%
12.4%
19.5%
Under 1822%
18–3414.5%
35–5431.5%
55–6412.4%
65+19.5%
Gender
46.5%
53.5%
Male46.5%
Female53.5%
Race & ethnicity
75.7%
18.1%
White75.7%
Black18.1%
Hispanic5.2%
Asian0.6%
Education (25+)
18.2%
42.2%
30.6%
No HS diploma9.1%
HS diploma18.2%
Some college42.2%
Bachelor's+30.6%
Housing tenure
81.6%
18.4%
Owner81.6%
Renter18.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Carthage, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$52,339 → $82,695
up 58.0%
Population
2,672 → 2,896
up 8.4%
Renter share
25.3% → 18.4%
-6.9 pts
Bachelor's+
18.6% → 30.6%
+12.0 pts
Median age
40.5 → 44.7
+4.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $52,339 to $82,695 across the same window, up 58.0% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 2,672 to 2,896 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.4% change. About 18.4% of households rent today, against 25.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 18.6% to 30.6%.

Community

Discussions about Carthage

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

Can you afford rent in Carthage on your salary?

At $1,920/mo, how Carthage rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carthage rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carthage

About renting in Carthage, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carthage is $1,920/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,230/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,420/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,280/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,990/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($82,695/yr), Carthage ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carthage an affordable city for renters?

Carthage is considered affordable for renters. At $1,920/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($82,695/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carthage falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Carthage?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,920/mo in Carthage. The local median household income is $82,695/yr, meaning the typical Carthage household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carthage?

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

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

Carthage is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #28 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,920/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carthage?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carthage ($1,920/mo): Aberdeen ($1,803/mo), Sanford ($1,821/mo), Southern Pines ($1,879/mo).

What percentage of Carthage residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 18.4% of Carthage households are renters, while 81.6% are owner-occupied. Carthage leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carthage rent compare to the national average?

Carthage's median rent of $1,920/mo is $42 (2%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #28 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,920/mo, rent takes ~28% of Carthage's median household income ($82,695/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carthage 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Carthage affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carthage, NC

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