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City Report · NC

Surf City

Pop. 4,396·4th most expensive in North Carolina·Surf City rents are up 30.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,265/mo
Year-over-Year
+30.6%
Month-over-Month
+7.8%
vs US Median
+$300
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Surf City · $2,265
More expensive than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,265/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$91,000/yr
Local median income
$81,433/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Surf City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

2 BR
$2,067
4 BR+
$2,286
Research median
$2,067/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
$27,180/yr
At $2,265/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 30.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+30.6% YoY, +7.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Surf City, NC is majority owner-occupied, 51.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,396
Median income
$81,433
Median age
36.9
Renters
26.1%
Age distribution
21.9%
21%
26.5%
13.3%
17.4%
Under 1821.9%
18–3421%
35–5426.5%
55–6413.3%
65+17.4%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
90.6%
White90.6%
Black4.3%
Hispanic5.6%
Asian0.5%
Education (25+)
16.6%
28.1%
51.6%
No HS diploma3.8%
HS diploma16.6%
Some college28.1%
Bachelor's+51.6%
Housing tenure
73.9%
26.1%
Owner73.9%
Renter26.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Surf City, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$77,202 → $81,433
up 5.5%
Population
3,637 → 4,396
up 20.9%
Renter share
23.6% → 26.1%
+2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
46.7% → 51.6%
+4.9 pts
Median age
39.9 → 36.9
-3.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $77,202 to $81,433 across the same window, up 5.5% versus 2021. Census counts show Surf City, NC adding about 759 residents over the five-year window, up 20.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 23.6% to 26.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 46.7% to 51.6% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Surf City

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View Surf City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Surf City on your salary?

At $2,265/mo, how Surf City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Surf City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Surf City

About renting in Surf City, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Surf City is $2,265/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $2,067/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($81,433/yr), Surf City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 30.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Surf City an affordable city for renters?

Surf City is considered moderate for renters. At $2,265/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($81,433/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Surf City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Surf City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $91,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,265/mo in Surf City. The local median household income is $81,433/yr, meaning the typical Surf City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Surf City?

Rent in Surf City has increased 30.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Surf City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Surf City is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #4 out of 126 tracked cities at $2,265/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Surf City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Surf City ($2,265/mo): Jacksonville ($1,395/mo), Midway Park ($1,469/mo), Holly Ridge ($1,801/mo).

What percentage of Surf City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.1% of Surf City households are renters, while 73.9% are owner-occupied. Surf City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Surf City rent compare to the national average?

Surf City's median rent of $2,265/mo is $300 (15%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #4 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $2,265/mo, rent takes ~33% of Surf City's median household income ($81,433/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Surf City 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Surf City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Surf City, NC

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