City Report · NC

Holly Ridge

Pop. 4,904·56th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Holly Ridge, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,763/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.1%
vs US Median
-$199
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Holly Ridge · $1,763
More affordable than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,763/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$104,788/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Holly Ridge's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,010
1 BR
$1,090
2 BR
$1,340
3 BR
$1,880
4 BR+
$2,250
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,340/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,763 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
$21,156/yr
At $1,763/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Holly Ridge, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 51.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,904
Median income
$104,788
Median age
38.1
Renters
11.4%
Age distribution
20.7%
24.6%
27.9%
14.7%
12.1%
Under 1820.7%
18–3424.6%
35–5427.9%
55–6414.7%
65+12.1%
Gender
51.6%
48.4%
Male51.6%
Female48.4%
Race & ethnicity
89.6%
White89.6%
Black1.9%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian1.5%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
12.9%
29.3%
51.4%
No HS diploma6.3%
HS diploma12.9%
Some college29.3%
Bachelor's+51.4%
Housing tenure
88.6%
Owner88.6%
Renter11.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Holly Ridge, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,649 → $1,763
up 6.9%
Income
$80,492 → $104,788
up 30.2%
Population
3,888 → 4,904
up 26.1%
Renter share
22.6% → 11.4%
-11.2 pts
Bachelor's+
44.3% → 51.4%
+7.1 pts
Median age
35.6 → 38.1
+2.5 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Holly Ridge, NC has climbed by $114 per month, settling near $1,763 after starting the period at $1,649. Household income in the area moved from $80,492 to $104,788 across the same window, up 30.2% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 23.3 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 3,888 to 4,904 between 2021 and 2024, a 26.1% change. About 11.4% of households rent today, against 22.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 44.3% to 51.4%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Holly Ridge, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Holly Ridge rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Holly Ridge on your salary?

At $1,763/mo, how Holly Ridge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Holly Ridge rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Holly Ridge

About renting in Holly Ridge, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Holly Ridge is $1,763/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,090/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,880/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($104,788/yr), Holly Ridge ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Holly Ridge an affordable city for renters?

Holly Ridge is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,763/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($104,788/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Holly Ridge falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Holly Ridge?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,763/mo in Holly Ridge. The local median household income is $104,788/yr, meaning the typical Holly Ridge household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Holly Ridge?

Rent in Holly Ridge has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Holly Ridge rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Holly Ridge is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #56 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,763/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Holly Ridge?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Holly Ridge ($1,763/mo): Jacksonville ($1,407/mo), Midway Park ($1,469/mo).

What percentage of Holly Ridge residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 11.4% of Holly Ridge households are renters, while 88.6% are owner-occupied. Holly Ridge leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Holly Ridge rent compare to the national average?

Holly Ridge's median rent of $1,763/mo is $199 (10%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #56 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,763/mo, rent takes ~20% of Holly Ridge's median household income ($104,788/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Holly Ridge 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Holly Ridge affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Holly Ridge, NC

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