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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Hampstead, NC is $1,904. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Hampstead cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Hampstead is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina, ranking #30 out of 126 cities tracked at $1,904/mo.

When was Hampstead rent data last updated?

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

City Report · NC

Hampstead

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

Pop. 9,292·30th most expensive in North Carolina·Hampstead rents are up 11.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,904/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.3%

Month-over-Month

-1.6%

vs US Median

-$61

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Hampstead · $1,904

More expensive than 53% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

25% of income

AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,904/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$76,000/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

Research median

$1,460/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,848/yr

At $1,904/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.3% YoY, -1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $1,904

up 9.0%

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 $1,904, up 9.0% 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

Discussions about Hampstead

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View Hampstead rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hampstead on your salary?

At $1,904/mo, how Hampstead rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 36.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 31.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 17.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 38.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 42.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 34.8% income

stretched

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hampstead is $1,904/mo as of July 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 25% of local median household income ($91,745/yr), Hampstead ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hampstead an affordable city for renters?

Hampstead is considered affordable for renters. At $1,904/mo, rent takes approximately 25% 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 $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,904/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 11.3% over the past year as of July 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 #30 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,904/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hampstead?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hampstead ($1,904/mo): Wilmington ($1,694/mo), Holly Ridge ($1,801/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 $1,904/mo is $61 (3%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #30 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,904/mo, rent takes ~25% of Hampstead's median household income ($91,745/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hampstead 25%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Hampstead affordability calculator →

Nearby cities