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City Report · NC

Emerald Isle

Pop. 3,934·3rd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Emerald Isle, NC
Median rent (all units)
$2,300/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$335
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Emerald Isle · $2,300
More expensive than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,300/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$92,000/yr
Local median income
$89,773/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Emerald Isle's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,260
1 BR
$1,270
2 BR
$1,660
3 BR
$2,160
4 BR+
$2,730
Research median
$1,660/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$27,600/yr
At $2,300/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Emerald Isle, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 57.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,934
Median income
$89,773
Median age
60.3
Renters
14.4%
Age distribution
18.4%
24.4%
36.8%
Under 1811.1%
18–349.2%
35–5418.4%
55–6424.4%
65+36.8%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
92.8%
White92.8%
Other6.5%
Education (25+)
14.4%
27.2%
57.1%
No HS diploma1.3%
HS diploma14.4%
Some college27.2%
Bachelor's+57.1%
Housing tenure
85.6%
14.4%
Owner85.6%
Renter14.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Emerald Isle, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$87,794 → $89,773
up 2.3%
Population
3,844 → 3,934
up 2.3%
Renter share
16.2% → 14.4%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
49.8% → 57.1%
+7.3 pts
Median age
57.3 → 60.3
+3.0 yrs

Median household income grew from $87,794 to $89,773 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% shift. Headcount in the area went from 3,844 to 3,934 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. About 14.4% of households rent today, against 16.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 49.8% to 57.1%.

Community

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View Emerald Isle rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Emerald Isle on your salary?

At $2,300/mo, how Emerald Isle rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Emerald Isle rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Emerald Isle

About renting in Emerald Isle, NC

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Emerald Isle is $2,300/mo as of March 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,260/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,660/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,270/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,160/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($89,773/yr), Emerald Isle ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Emerald Isle an affordable city for renters?

Emerald Isle is considered moderate for renters. At $2,300/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($89,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Emerald Isle slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Emerald Isle?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,300/mo in Emerald Isle. The local median household income is $89,773/yr, meaning the typical Emerald Isle household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Emerald Isle?

Rent in Emerald Isle has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of March 2026.

How does Emerald Isle rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Emerald Isle is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #3 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,300/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Emerald Isle?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Emerald Isle ($2,300/mo): Havelock ($1,289/mo), Midway Park ($1,469/mo), Hubert ($1,554/mo).

What percentage of Emerald Isle residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 14.4% of Emerald Isle households are renters, while 85.6% are owner-occupied. Emerald Isle leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Emerald Isle rent compare to the national average?

Emerald Isle's median rent of $2,300/mo is $335 (17%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #3 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,300/mo, rent takes ~31% of Emerald Isle's median household income ($89,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Emerald Isle 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Emerald Isle affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Emerald Isle
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Emerald Isle, NC

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