At $1,682/mo, rent takes about 36% 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 $1,682 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: August 17, 2026
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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.
Discussions about Morehead City
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Can you afford rent in Morehead City on your salary?
At $1,682/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Morehead City is $1,682/mo as of August 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 36% of local median household income ($56,233/yr), Morehead City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morehead City an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Morehead City?
How does Morehead City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
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What percentage of Morehead City residents rent vs. own?
How does Morehead City rent compare to the national average?
At $1,682/mo, rent takes ~36% of Morehead City's median household income ($56,233/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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