City Report · NC

Southern Pines

Pop. 16,420·36th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Southern Pines, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,879/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.7%
Month-over-Month
+6.2%
vs US Median
-$83
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Southern Pines · $1,879
More expensive than 51% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
50/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Southern Pines's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,879/mo
Expected by trend
$1,875/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Southern Pines's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,010
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,630
4 BR+
$1,950
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,160/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,879 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$22,548/yr
At $1,879/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.7% YoY, +6.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Southern Pines, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 52.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,420
Median income
$88,535
Median age
38.7
Renters
43.4%
Age distribution
20.5%
23%
22.8%
25.6%
Under 1820.5%
18–3423%
35–5422.8%
55–648.1%
65+25.6%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
74.8%
White74.8%
Black10.8%
Hispanic7%
Asian1.4%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
16.2%
25.6%
52.9%
No HS diploma5.2%
HS diploma16.2%
Some college25.6%
Bachelor's+52.9%
Housing tenure
56.6%
43.4%
Owner56.6%
Renter43.4%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Southern Pines, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,667 → $1,879
up 12.7%
Income
$69,792 → $88,535
up 26.9%
Population
15,156 → 16,420
up 8.3%
Renter share
40.4% → 43.4%
+3.0 pts
Bachelor's+
51.9% → 52.9%
+1.0 pts

Compared with 2022, rent in Southern Pines, NC has increased by $212 per month, settling near $1,879 after starting the period at $1,667. On the earnings side, the typical household in Southern Pines, NC now reports about $88,535, up from $69,792 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 14.2 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 15,156 to 16,420 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.3% change. About 43.4% of households rent today, against 40.4% in 2021. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Southern Pines, NC reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Southern Pines rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Southern Pines on your salary?

At $1,879/mo, how Southern Pines rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Southern Pines rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Southern Pines

About renting in Southern Pines, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Southern Pines is $1,879/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($88,535/yr), Southern Pines ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Southern Pines an affordable city for renters?

Southern Pines is considered affordable for renters. At $1,879/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($88,535/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Southern Pines falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Southern Pines?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $75,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,879/mo in Southern Pines. The local median household income is $88,535/yr, meaning the typical Southern Pines household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Southern Pines?

Rent in Southern Pines has increased 3.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Southern Pines rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Southern Pines is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #36 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,879/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Southern Pines?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Southern Pines ($1,879/mo): Raeford ($1,756/mo), Aberdeen ($1,803/mo).

What percentage of Southern Pines residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.4% of Southern Pines households are renters, while 56.6% are owner-occupied. Southern Pines leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Southern Pines rent compare to the national average?

Southern Pines's median rent of $1,879/mo is $83 (4%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #36 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,879/mo, rent takes ~25% of Southern Pines's median household income ($88,535/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Southern Pines 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Southern Pines affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Public schools near Southern Pines, NC

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