At $2,005/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Surf City's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Surf City changed +5.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
Wilmington, 24 miles away, rents for 15% less ($1,713/mo), about $3,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Surf City.
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Who lives here
Surf City, NC is majority owner-occupied, 51.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Surf City, NC has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Surf City on your salary?
At $2,005/mo, how Surf City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Surf City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Surf City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Surf City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Surf City is $2,005/mo as of October 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,959/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($81,433/yr), Surf City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Surf City?
Is rent going up or down in Surf City?
How does Surf City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Surf City?
At $2,005/mo, rent takes ~30% of Surf City's median household income ($81,433/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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