Rents are 4% below what Elizabeth City'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 $1,457 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
Rent in Elizabeth City is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2022.
Rent in Elizabeth City changed +3.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($52,141) is $1,304 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,160); a 3-bedroom is $1,560.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Elizabeth City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Elizabeth City, NC is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 27.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Elizabeth City, NC has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Elizabeth City, NC paid around $1,248 a month. That figure now sits near $1,457, up 16.7% from the 2023 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $44,759 in 2021 to $52,141 more recently. Census counts show Elizabeth City, NC adding about 405 residents over the five-year window, up 2.2% on net. The renter share has eased from 59.3% to 55.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Elizabeth City, NC market of 2023.
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Can you afford rent in Elizabeth City on your salary?
At $1,457/mo, how Elizabeth City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Elizabeth City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Elizabeth City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Elizabeth City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Elizabeth City is $1,457/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,560/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($52,141/yr), Elizabeth City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Elizabeth City?
Is rent going up or down in Elizabeth City?
How does Elizabeth City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
At $1,457/mo, rent takes ~34% of Elizabeth City's median household income ($52,141/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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