At $2,300/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
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 $2,300 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
30% of the median household income ($89,773) is $2,244 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,160); a 4-bedroom is $2,730.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Emerald Isle. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Emerald Isle, NC has changed in 5 years
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%.
Discussions about Emerald Isle
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Emerald Isle on your salary?
At $2,300/mo, how Emerald Isle rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Emerald Isle rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Emerald Isle. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Emerald Isle
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Emerald Isle is $2,300/mo as of October 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Emerald Isle?
Is rent going up or down in Emerald Isle?
How does Emerald Isle rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Emerald Isle?
At $2,300/mo, rent takes ~31% of Emerald Isle's median household income ($89,773/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 Emerald Isle.
No discussions yet.