City Report · NC

Goldsboro

Pop. 34,383·102nd most expensive in North Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,411/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.0%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
-$551
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Goldsboro · $1,411
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Goldsboro's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,411/mo
Expected by trend
$1,474/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Goldsboro's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$925
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,220
3 BR
$1,495
4 BR+
$1,975
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,220/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,411 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
$16,932/yr
At $1,411/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.0% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Goldsboro, NC is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
34,383
Median income
$48,540
Median age
36.8
Renters
63.7%
Age distribution
22.3%
24.9%
22.6%
18.6%
Under 1822.3%
18–3424.9%
35–5422.6%
55–6411.6%
65+18.6%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
35.5%
52.6%
White35.5%
Black52.6%
Hispanic6.1%
Asian1.6%
Other4.3%
Education (25+)
12.9%
30.8%
35.4%
21%
No HS diploma12.9%
HS diploma30.8%
Some college35.4%
Bachelor's+21%
Housing tenure
36.3%
63.7%
Owner36.3%
Renter63.7%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Goldsboro, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,153 → $1,411
up 22.4%
Income
$39,562 → $48,540
up 22.7%
Population
33,214 → 34,383
up 3.5%
Renter share
59.3% → 63.7%
+4.4 pts
Bachelor's+
22.1% → 21%
-1.1 pts

Since 2023, the typical rent in Goldsboro, NC has increased from $1,153 to $1,411, a 22.4% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $39,562 in 2021 to $48,540 more recently. The population has grown by 3.5% since 2021, moving from about 33,214 residents to roughly 34,383. Renters now make up 63.7% of households, compared with 59.3% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Goldsboro, NC market of 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Goldsboro on your salary?

At $1,411/mo, how Goldsboro rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Goldsboro rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Goldsboro

About renting in Goldsboro, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Goldsboro is $1,411/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $925/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,220/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,495/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($48,540/yr), Goldsboro ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Goldsboro an affordable city for renters?

Goldsboro is considered moderate for renters. At $1,411/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($48,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Goldsboro slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Goldsboro?

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 $1,411/mo in Goldsboro. The local median household income is $48,540/yr, meaning the typical Goldsboro household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Goldsboro?

Rent in Goldsboro has increased 1.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Goldsboro neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Goldsboro are 27530 ($1,426/mo), and 27534 ($1,479/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Goldsboro is $1,411/mo.

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

Goldsboro is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #102 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,411/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Goldsboro?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Goldsboro ($1,411/mo): Kinston ($1,281/mo), Wilson ($1,381/mo).

What percentage of Goldsboro residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 63.7% of Goldsboro households are renters, while 36.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Goldsboro has a strong rental market.

How does Goldsboro rent compare to the national average?

Goldsboro's median rent of $1,411/mo is $551 (28%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #102 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $1,411/mo, rent takes ~35% of Goldsboro's median household income ($48,540/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Goldsboro 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Goldsboro affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Goldsboro
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Goldsboro, NC

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