RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · NC

Cary

Pop. 179,306·52nd most expensive in North Carolina·Cary rents are up 9.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,791/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$171
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Cary rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cary · $1,791
More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Cary's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,791/mo
Expected by trend
$1,874/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cary's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,685
1 BR
$1,755
2 BR
$1,943
3 BR
$2,415
4 BR+
$3,255
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,943/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,791 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,492/yr
At $1,791/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.9% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cary, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 70.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
179,306
Median income
$134,905
Median age
40.2
Renters
33.4%
Age distribution
23.4%
19.2%
30.5%
12.7%
14.1%
Under 1823.4%
18–3419.2%
35–5430.5%
55–6412.7%
65+14.1%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
58.3%
20.4%
White58.3%
Black7.9%
Hispanic9.5%
Asian20.4%
Other4%
Education (25+)
18.3%
70.5%
No HS diploma3.7%
HS diploma7.5%
Some college18.3%
Bachelor's+70.5%
Housing tenure
66.6%
33.4%
Owner66.6%
Renter33.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cary, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,360 → $1,791
up 31.7%
Income
$113,782 → $134,905
up 18.6%
Population
171,603 → 179,306
up 4.5%
Renter share
33.2% → 33.4%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
69.5% → 70.5%
+1.0 pts
Median age
39.1 → 40.2
+1.1 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Cary, NC paid around $1,360 a month. That figure now sits near $1,791, up 31.7% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $134,905 today, compared with $113,782 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Cary, NC adding about 7,703 residents over the five-year window, up 4.5% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Cary

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Cary on your salary?

At $1,791/mo, how Cary rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cary rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cary

About renting in Cary, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Cary is $1,791/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,685/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,943/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,755/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,415/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($134,905/yr), Cary ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cary an affordable city for renters?

Cary is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,791/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($134,905/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cary falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cary?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,791/mo in Cary. The local median household income is $134,905/yr, meaning the typical Cary household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cary?

Rent in Cary has increased 9.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Cary neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Cary are 27518 ($1,577/mo), 27513 ($1,620/mo), and 27511 ($1,655/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cary is $1,791/mo.

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

Cary is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #52 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,791/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cary?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cary ($1,791/mo): Raleigh ($1,575/mo), Durham ($1,675/mo), Morrisville ($1,689/mo).

What percentage of Cary residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.4% of Cary households are renters, while 66.6% are owner-occupied. Cary leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cary rent compare to the national average?

Cary's median rent of $1,791/mo is $171 (9%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #52 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,791/mo, rent takes ~16% of Cary's median household income ($134,905/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cary 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Cary affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cary, NC

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Cary.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.