Rents are 3% below what Wilson's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,494 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Wilson is 0.9% below its high of $1,508 in June 2026, at $1,494 as of September 2026.
Rent in Wilson changed +2.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($52,485) is $1,312 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,070); a 3-bedroom is $1,395.
Rocky Mount, 15 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,259/mo), about $2,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Wilson. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Wilson, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Wilson, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $46,146 in 2021 to $52,485 more recently. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 47,914 residents to roughly 48,370. College-educated residents now make up 24.5% of adults here, versus 22.3% in 2021.
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At $1,494/mo, how Wilson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Wilson rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Wilson. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Wilson
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Wilson is $1,494/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $855/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,395/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($52,485/yr), Wilson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Wilson rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wilson?
At $1,494/mo, rent takes ~34% of Wilson's median household income ($52,485/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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