City Report · NC

Fayetteville

Pop. 210,815·109th most expensive in North Carolina·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,368/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.3%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
-$594
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fayetteville · $1,368
More affordable than 84% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
74/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% below what Fayetteville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,368/mo
Expected by trend
$1,553/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,234/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,368 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,416/yr
At $1,368/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 3.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.3% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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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 → $1,368
up 31.0%
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 $1,368, up 31.0% 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

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View Fayetteville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fayetteville on your salary?

At $1,368/mo, how Fayetteville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fayetteville is $1,368/mo as of August 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 28% of local median household income ($58,407/yr), Fayetteville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fayetteville an affordable city for renters?

Fayetteville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,368/mo, rent takes approximately 28% 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 $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,368/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 3.3% over the past year as of August 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 ($884/mo), 28311 ($1,300/mo), and 28303 ($1,357/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fayetteville is $1,368/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 #109 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,368/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 $1,368/mo is $594 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #109 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,368/mo, rent takes ~28% of Fayetteville's median household income ($58,407/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fayetteville 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Fayetteville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Fayetteville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fayetteville, NC

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