At $1,812/mo, rent takes about 26% 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 $1,812 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
30% of the median household income ($82,695) is $2,067 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,990); a 4-bedroom is $2,380.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carthage. 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
Carthage, NC is majority owner-occupied, 30.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carthage, NC has changed in 5 years
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%.
Discussions about Carthage
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Carthage on your salary?
At $1,812/mo, how Carthage rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carthage rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carthage. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carthage
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carthage is $1,812/mo as of October 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 26% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Carthage?
Is rent going up or down in Carthage?
How does Carthage rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carthage?
At $1,812/mo, rent takes ~26% of Carthage's median household income ($82,695/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 Carthage.
No discussions yet.