How much does it cost to rent in Fayetteville, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Fayetteville, NC is $1,401. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Fayetteville cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Fayetteville is among the more affordable cities in North Carolina, ranking #104 out of 126 cities at $1,401/mo.

When was Fayetteville rent data last updated?

Fayetteville rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Fayetteville a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Fayetteville is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 0.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · NC

Fayetteville

Name: Average Rent Prices in Fayetteville, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 210,815·104th most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,401/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.7%

Month-over-Month

-1.4%

vs US Median

-$564

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Fayetteville rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Fayetteville · $1,401

More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Fayetteville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,401/mo

Expected by trend

$1,545/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fayetteville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,069

1 BR

$1,076

2 BR

$1,234

3 BR

$1,673

4 BR+

$2,080

Research median

$1,234/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$16,812/yr

At $1,401/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.7% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Fayetteville, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 29% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

210,815

Median income

$58,407

Median age

30.6

Renters

52.6%

Age distribution

23.8%

33.4%

20.7%

12.9%

Under 1823.8%

18–3433.4%

35–5420.7%

55–649.3%

65+12.9%

Gender

50.7%

49.3%

Male50.7%

Female49.3%

Race & ethnicity

36.8%

42.6%

13.1%

White36.8%

Black42.6%

Hispanic13.1%

Asian3.1%

Other4.4%

Education (25+)

25.7%

38.8%

29%

No HS diploma6.5%

HS diploma25.7%

Some college38.8%

Bachelor's+29%

Housing tenure

47.4%

52.6%

Owner47.4%

Renter52.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fayetteville, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,044 → $1,401

up 34.2%

Income

$48,923 → $58,407

up 19.4%

Population

208,497 → 210,815

up 1.1%

Renter share

55.5% → 52.6%

-2.9 pts

Bachelor's+

27.6% → 29%

+1.4 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Fayetteville, NC has shifted from $1,044 to $1,401, up 34.2% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $48,923 to $58,407 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.4% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Fayetteville, NC adding about 2,318 residents over the five-year window, up 1.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 55.5% to 52.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Taken together, the five-year picture in Fayetteville, NC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Fayetteville

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View Fayetteville rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fayetteville on your salary?

At $1,401/mo, how Fayetteville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 18.9% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 26.7% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 23.1% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 12.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 10.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 28.5% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 31.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 25.6% income

affordable

By apartment size

Fayetteville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fayetteville

About renting in Fayetteville, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fayetteville is $1,401/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,069/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,234/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,076/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,673/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($58,407/yr), Fayetteville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fayetteville an affordable city for renters?

Fayetteville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,401/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($58,407/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fayetteville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fayetteville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,401/mo in Fayetteville. The local median household income is $58,407/yr, meaning the typical Fayetteville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fayetteville?

Rent in Fayetteville has decreased 0.7% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Fayetteville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fayetteville are 28312 ($1,249/mo), 28311 ($1,330/mo), and 28304 ($1,390/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fayetteville is $1,401/mo.

How does Fayetteville rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Fayetteville is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #104 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,401/mo.

What percentage of Fayetteville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.6% of Fayetteville households are renters, while 47.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Fayetteville has a strong rental market.

How does Fayetteville rent compare to the national average?

Fayetteville's median rent of $1,401/mo is $564 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #104 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,401/mo, rent takes ~29% of Fayetteville's median household income ($58,407/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fayetteville 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Fayetteville affordability calculator →

Nearby cities