Rents are 9% below what Clayton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,797 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
February. Asking rents in Clayton usually run 0.8% below trend in February and 0.5% above it in August, about $23 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Clayton is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
Rent in Clayton changed +2.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Clayton rose 36% while median household income rose 25.8% ($62,676 to $78,822). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Clayton is 37.5% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($78,822) is $1,971 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,720); a 3-bedroom is $2,140.
Raleigh, 18 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,572/mo), about $2,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Clayton. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. 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
Clayton, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 40.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Clayton, NC has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Clayton, NC stood at $1,449 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,797, reflecting a 24.0% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $63,166 to $78,822 across the same window, up 24.8% versus 2021. The population has grown by 15.0% since 2021, moving from about 25,486 residents to roughly 29,320. Renters now make up 37.3% of households, compared with 34.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 40.4% of adults here, versus 29.5% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Clayton, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Clayton
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Clayton on your salary?
At $1,797/mo, how Clayton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Clayton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Clayton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Clayton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Clayton is $1,797/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,495/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,720/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,555/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,140/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($78,822/yr), Clayton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Clayton?
Is rent going up or down in Clayton?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Clayton?
Has rent outpaced income in Clayton?
Which Clayton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Clayton rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clayton?
At $1,797/mo, rent takes ~27% of Clayton's median household income ($78,822/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 Clayton.
No discussions yet.