City Report · NC

Hampstead

Pop. 9,292·17th most expensive in North Carolina·Hampstead rents are up 17.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,995/mo
Year-over-Year
+17.3%
Month-over-Month
+4.8%
vs US Median
+$33
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hampstead · $1,995
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,995/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$80,000/yr
Local median income
$91,745/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Hampstead's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,000
1 BR
$1,320
2 BR
$1,460
3 BR
$2,050
4 BR+
$2,450
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,460/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,995 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
$23,940/yr
At $1,995/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 17.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+17.3% YoY, +4.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hampstead, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 38.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,292
Median income
$91,745
Median age
35.8
Renters
27.1%
Age distribution
29.8%
19.4%
27.1%
13.8%
Under 1829.8%
18–3419.4%
35–5427.1%
55–649.9%
65+13.8%
Gender
53.9%
46.1%
Male53.9%
Female46.1%
Race & ethnicity
83%
White83%
Black2.2%
Hispanic11.5%
Asian0.7%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
25.6%
31.4%
38.3%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma25.6%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+38.3%
Housing tenure
72.9%
27.1%
Owner72.9%
Renter27.1%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Hampstead, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,747 → $1,995
up 14.2%
Income
$102,366 → $91,745
down 10.4%
Population
7,037 → 9,292
up 32.0%
Renter share
23.2% → 27.1%
+3.9 pts
Bachelor's+
43.5% → 38.3%
-5.2 pts
Median age
38.2 → 35.8
-2.4 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Hampstead, NC paid around $1,747 a month. That figure now sits near $1,995, up 14.2% from the 2023 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $91,745 today, compared with $102,366 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Hampstead, NC adding about 2,255 residents over the five-year window, up 32.0% on net. The renter share has risen from 23.2% to 27.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 43.5% to 38.3% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Hampstead on your salary?

At $1,995/mo, how Hampstead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hampstead rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hampstead

About renting in Hampstead, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Hampstead is $1,995/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,320/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($91,745/yr), Hampstead ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 17.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hampstead an affordable city for renters?

Hampstead is considered affordable for renters. At $1,995/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($91,745/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hampstead falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Hampstead?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,995/mo in Hampstead. The local median household income is $91,745/yr, meaning the typical Hampstead household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hampstead?

Rent in Hampstead has increased 17.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Hampstead is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #17 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,995/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hampstead?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hampstead ($1,995/mo): Wilmington ($1,690/mo), Holly Ridge ($1,763/mo), Sneads Ferry ($1,918/mo).

What percentage of Hampstead residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.1% of Hampstead households are renters, while 72.9% are owner-occupied. Hampstead leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hampstead rent compare to the national average?

Hampstead's median rent of $1,995/mo is $33 (2%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #17 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,995/mo, rent takes ~26% of Hampstead's median household income ($91,745/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hampstead 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Hampstead affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Hampstead, NC

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