City Report · NC

Kill Devil Hills

Pop. 7,761·7th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Kill Devil Hills, NC
Median rent (all units)
$2,113/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.2%
vs US Median
+$181
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kill Devil Hills · $2,113
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,113/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$85,000/yr
Local median income
$89,773/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kill Devil Hills's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$1,711
2 BR
$2,029
3 BR
$1,484
4 BR+
$1,441
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,029/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,113 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: September 25, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($89,773) is $2,244 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,441).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Kill Devil Hills. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$25,356/yr
At $2,113/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +4.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kill Devil Hills, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 44.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,761
Median income
$89,773
Median age
48.5
Renters
26.1%
Age distribution
19.3%
15.5%
28.6%
17.6%
19%
Under 1819.3%
18–3415.5%
35–5428.6%
55–6417.6%
65+19%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
81.9%
White81.9%
Black1.2%
Hispanic11.2%
Asian1.3%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
17.4%
32%
44.8%
No HS diploma5.8%
HS diploma17.4%
Some college32%
Bachelor's+44.8%
Housing tenure
73.9%
26.1%
Owner73.9%
Renter26.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kill Devil Hills, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$62,721 → $89,773
up 43.1%
Population
7,541 → 7,761
up 2.9%
Renter share
31.6% → 26.1%
-5.5 pts
Bachelor's+
39.2% → 44.8%
+5.6 pts
Median age
47.4 → 48.5
+1.1 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $89,773 today, compared with $62,721 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 7,541 to 7,761 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. About 26.1% of households rent today, against 31.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 39.2% to 44.8%.

Community

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View Kill Devil Hills rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kill Devil Hills on your salary?

At $2,113/mo, how Kill Devil Hills rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kill Devil Hills rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Kill Devil Hills. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kill Devil Hills

About renting in Kill Devil Hills, NC

Last updated: September 25, 2026

The median rent in Kill Devil Hills is $2,113/mo as of September 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $2,029/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,711/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,484/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($89,773/yr), Kill Devil Hills ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Kill Devil Hills?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $85,000/year (about $41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,113/mo in Kill Devil Hills. The local median household income is $89,773/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Kill Devil Hills?

Rent in Kill Devil Hills has been roughly flat over the past year, a 0.0% change.

How does Kill Devil Hills rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Kill Devil Hills is one of the pricier among North Carolina cities for rent, ranking #7 of 129 tracked cities at $2,113/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kill Devil Hills?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Kill Devil Hills ($2,113/mo) include Elizabeth City ($1,457/mo), Portsmouth ($1,642/mo), and Norfolk ($1,749/mo).
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,113/mo, rent takes ~28% of Kill Devil Hills's median household income ($89,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kill Devil Hills 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Kill Devil Hills affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kill Devil Hills, NC

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