At $1,858/mo, rent takes about 40% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,858 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Morehead City changed +3.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($56,233) is $1,406 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,270); a 3-bedroom is $1,650.
Havelock, 13 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,542/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Morehead City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Morehead City, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 35.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Morehead City, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $47,058 in 2021 to $56,233 more recently. The population has grown by 2.8% since 2021, moving from about 9,535 residents to roughly 9,806.
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Can you afford rent in Morehead City on your salary?
At $1,858/mo, how Morehead City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Morehead City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Morehead City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Morehead City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Morehead City is $1,858/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $960/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,650/mo.
At 40% of local median household income ($56,233/yr), Morehead City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Morehead City?
Is rent going up or down in Morehead City?
How does Morehead City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Morehead City?
At $1,858/mo, rent takes ~40% of Morehead City's median household income ($56,233/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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