At $1,793/mo, rent takes about 50% of the local median household income, well 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 $1,793 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
Smithfield, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Smithfield, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $33,957 in 2021 to $43,270 more recently. Census counts show Smithfield, NC adding about 948 residents over the five-year window, up 8.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 48.3% to 41.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
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Can you afford rent in Smithfield on your salary?
At $1,793/mo, how Smithfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Smithfield rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Smithfield. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Smithfield
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Smithfield is $1,793/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,320/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,840/mo.
At 50% of local median household income ($43,270/yr), Smithfield ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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What percentage of Smithfield residents rent vs. own?
How does Smithfield rent compare to the national average?
At $1,793/mo, rent takes ~50% of Smithfield's median household income ($43,270/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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