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City Report · NC

Carthage

Pop. 2,896·9th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Carthage, NC
Median rent (all units)
$2,041/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+7.4%
vs US Median
+$76
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carthage · $2,041
More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,041/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$82,000/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
Research median
$1,420/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
$24,492/yr
At $2,041/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +7.4% 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

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

Can you afford rent in Carthage on your salary?

At $2,041/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carthage is $2,041/mo as of July 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 30% of local median household income ($82,695/yr), Carthage ranks as moderate 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 moderate for renters. At $2,041/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($82,695/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carthage slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,041/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 July 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 #9 out of 126 tracked cities at $2,041/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carthage?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carthage ($2,041/mo): Southern Pines ($1,770/mo), Aberdeen ($1,799/mo), Sanford ($1,812/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 $2,041/mo is $76 (4%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #9 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,041/mo, rent takes ~30% of Carthage's median household income ($82,695/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carthage 30%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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