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City Report · NC

Raleigh

Pop. 481,031·87th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Raleigh, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,579/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.3%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$386
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Raleigh · $1,579
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
71/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Raleigh's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,579/mo
Expected by trend
$1,767/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Raleigh's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,579
1 BR
$1,639
2 BR
$1,815
3 BR
$2,257
4 BR+
$3,046
Research median
$1,815/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,948/yr
At $1,579/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Raleigh, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 54% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
481,031
Median income
$85,395
Median age
34.7
Renters
49.3%
Age distribution
19.8%
30.8%
27%
Under 1819.8%
18–3430.8%
35–5427%
55–6410.5%
65+11.9%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
52.8%
26.6%
12.6%
White52.8%
Black26.6%
Hispanic12.6%
Asian5.2%
Other2.9%
Education (25+)
15.8%
22.8%
54%
No HS diploma7.4%
HS diploma15.8%
Some college22.8%
Bachelor's+54%
Housing tenure
50.7%
49.3%
Owner50.7%
Renter49.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Raleigh, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,269 → $1,579
up 24.4%
Income
$72,996 → $85,395
up 17.0%
Population
462,219 → 481,031
up 4.1%
Renter share
48.4% → 49.3%
+0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
52.4% → 54%
+1.6 pts
Median age
34.2 → 34.7
+0.5 yrs

Rent in Raleigh, NC has climbed 24.4% since 2021, going from about $1,269 per month to roughly $1,579 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $72,996 in 2021 to $85,395 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 7.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 462,219 to 481,031 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.1% change. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Raleigh, NC market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Raleigh

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

Can you afford rent in Raleigh on your salary?

At $1,579/mo, how Raleigh rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Raleigh rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Raleigh

About renting in Raleigh, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Raleigh is $1,579/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,579/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,815/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,639/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,257/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($85,395/yr), Raleigh ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Raleigh an affordable city for renters?

Raleigh is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,579/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($85,395/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Raleigh falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Raleigh?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,579/mo in Raleigh. The local median household income is $85,395/yr, meaning the typical Raleigh household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Raleigh?

Rent in Raleigh has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Raleigh neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Raleigh are 27613 ($1,385/mo), 27612 ($1,476/mo), and 27615 ($1,489/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Raleigh is $1,579/mo.

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

Raleigh is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #87 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,579/mo.

What percentage of Raleigh residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.3% of Raleigh households are renters, while 50.7% are owner-occupied. Raleigh leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Raleigh rent compare to the national average?

Raleigh's median rent of $1,579/mo is $386 (20%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #87 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,579/mo, rent takes ~22% of Raleigh's median household income ($85,395/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Raleigh 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Raleigh affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Raleigh, NC

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