Rents are 3% below what Raeford's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,725 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 Raeford is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2021.
Rent in Raeford changed +3.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($46,494) is $1,162 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,070); a 3-bedroom is $1,500.
Fayetteville, 19 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,362/mo), about $4,400 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Raeford. 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
Raeford, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 23.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Raeford, NC has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Raeford, NC paid around $1,424 a month. That figure now sits near $1,725, up 21.1% from the 2022 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $35,042 to $46,494 across the same window, up 32.7% versus 2021. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Raeford, NC losing about 191 residents over the five-year window, down 4.0% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 20.3% to 23.6% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Raeford, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in Raeford on your salary?
At $1,725/mo, how Raeford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Raeford rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Raeford. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Raeford
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Raeford is $1,725/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $810/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,500/mo.
At 45% of local median household income ($46,494/yr), Raeford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Raeford?
Is rent going up or down in Raeford?
How does Raeford rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
At $1,725/mo, rent takes ~45% of Raeford's median household income ($46,494/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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