Rents are 3% 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 $1,524 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: August 17, 2026
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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 $1,293 a month. That figure now sits near $1,524, up 17.9% 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.
Discussions about Elizabeth City
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Can you afford rent in Elizabeth City on your salary?
At $1,524/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Elizabeth City is $1,524/mo as of August 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 35% of local median household income ($52,141/yr), Elizabeth City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elizabeth City an affordable city for renters?
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?
What percentage of Elizabeth City residents rent vs. own?
How does Elizabeth City rent compare to the national average?
At $1,524/mo, rent takes ~35% 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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