City Report · NC

Jacksonville

Pop. 71,279·103rd most expensive in North Carolina·Jacksonville rents are up 6.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,407/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.5%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$555
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Jacksonville · $1,407
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Jacksonville's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,407/mo
Expected by trend
$1,431/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Jacksonville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$845
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,150
3 BR
$1,620
4 BR+
$1,950
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,150/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,407 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
$16,884/yr
At $1,407/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.5% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Jacksonville, NC is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
71,279
Median income
$57,697
Median age
23.4
Renters
61.3%
Age distribution
19.2%
53.1%
14.3%
Under 1819.2%
18–3453.1%
35–5414.3%
55–645.6%
65+7.8%
Gender
62%
38%
Male62%
Female38%
Race & ethnicity
59.7%
15.3%
19.9%
White59.7%
Black15.3%
Hispanic19.9%
Asian2.6%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
28.8%
38.5%
26.3%
No HS diploma6.4%
HS diploma28.8%
Some college38.5%
Bachelor's+26.3%
Housing tenure
38.7%
61.3%
Owner38.7%
Renter61.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Jacksonville, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$928 → $1,407
up 51.6%
Income
$47,483 → $57,697
up 21.5%
Population
73,224 → 71,279
down 2.7%
Renter share
65.3% → 61.3%
-4.0 pts
Bachelor's+
25.9% → 26.3%
+0.4 pts

Five years ago, renters in Jacksonville, NC paid around $928 a month. That figure now sits near $1,407, up 51.6% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $47,483 in 2021 to $57,697 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Jacksonville, NC losing about 1,945 residents over the five-year window, down 2.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 65.3% to 61.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Jacksonville, NC market of 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Jacksonville on your salary?

At $1,407/mo, how Jacksonville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Jacksonville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Jacksonville

About renting in Jacksonville, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Jacksonville is $1,407/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $845/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,620/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($57,697/yr), Jacksonville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Jacksonville an affordable city for renters?

Jacksonville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,407/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($57,697/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Jacksonville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Jacksonville?

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 $1,407/mo in Jacksonville. The local median household income is $57,697/yr, meaning the typical Jacksonville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Jacksonville?

Rent in Jacksonville has increased 6.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Jacksonville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Jacksonville are 28546 ($1,408/mo), and 28540 ($1,425/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Jacksonville is $1,407/mo.

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

Jacksonville is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #103 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,407/mo.

What percentage of Jacksonville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 61.3% of Jacksonville households are renters, while 38.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Jacksonville has a strong rental market.

How does Jacksonville rent compare to the national average?

Jacksonville's median rent of $1,407/mo is $555 (28%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #103 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,407/mo, rent takes ~29% of Jacksonville's median household income ($57,697/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Jacksonville 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Jacksonville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Jacksonville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Jacksonville, NC

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