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City Report · NC

Zebulon

Pop. 8,711·16th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Zebulon, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,989/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.1%
Month-over-Month
+0.5%
vs US Median
+$24
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Zebulon · $1,989
More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
52/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$1,989/mo
Expected by trend
$2,006/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Zebulon's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,290
1 BR
$1,320
2 BR
$1,490
3 BR
$1,840
4 BR+
$2,440
Research median
$1,490/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
$23,868/yr
At $1,989/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.1% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Zebulon, NC is majority owner-occupied, 30.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,711
Median income
$79,112
Median age
38.3
Renters
37.3%
Age distribution
23.9%
22.7%
31.7%
12.9%
Under 1823.9%
18–3422.7%
35–5431.7%
55–648.7%
65+12.9%
Gender
47.1%
52.9%
Male47.1%
Female52.9%
Race & ethnicity
30.4%
45.6%
22.9%
White30.4%
Black45.6%
Hispanic22.9%
Other0.8%
Education (25+)
19.3%
21.9%
27.8%
30.9%
No HS diploma19.3%
HS diploma21.9%
Some college27.8%
Bachelor's+30.9%
Housing tenure
62.7%
37.3%
Owner62.7%
Renter37.3%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Zebulon, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,912 → $1,989
up 4.0%
Income
$44,389 → $79,112
up 78.2%
Population
6,958 → 8,711
up 25.2%
Renter share
30.5% → 37.3%
+6.8 pts
Bachelor's+
22.8% → 30.9%
+8.1 pts
Median age
40.2 → 38.3
-1.9 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Zebulon, NC has climbed by $77 per month, settling near $1,989 after starting the period at $1,912. Household income in the area moved from $44,389 to $79,112 across the same window, up 78.2% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 74.2 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 6,958 to 8,711 between 2021 and 2024, a 25.2% change. About 37.3% of households rent today, against 30.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 22.8% to 30.9%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Zebulon, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Zebulon rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Zebulon on your salary?

At $1,989/mo, how Zebulon rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Zebulon rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Zebulon

About renting in Zebulon, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Zebulon is $1,989/mo as of July 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 30% of local median household income ($79,112/yr), Zebulon ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Zebulon an affordable city for renters?

Zebulon is considered moderate for renters. At $1,989/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($79,112/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Zebulon slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Zebulon?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $80,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,989/mo in Zebulon. The local median household income is $79,112/yr, meaning the typical Zebulon household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Zebulon?

Rent in Zebulon has increased 4.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Zebulon rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Zebulon is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #16 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,989/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Zebulon?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Zebulon ($1,989/mo): Knightdale ($1,759/mo), Wake Forest ($1,813/mo), Clayton ($1,862/mo).

What percentage of Zebulon residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.3% of Zebulon households are renters, while 62.7% are owner-occupied. Zebulon leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Zebulon rent compare to the national average?

Zebulon's median rent of $1,989/mo is $24 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #16 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,989/mo, rent takes ~30% of Zebulon's median household income ($79,112/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Zebulon 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Zebulon affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Zebulon
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Zebulon, NC

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