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Biggest seasonal rent swings in North Carolina

How far typical asking rents move between the cheapest and priciest month in North Carolina cities, from at least five years of Zillow data. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Cornelius ranks first, with a swing of 3.2% between December and July.
Across all 34 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,723/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Gap between the cheapest and priciest calendar month, from Zillow's unadjusted and seasonally adjusted rent indexes over five or more years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

34 cities

Rank	City	Yearly swing	Cheapest month	Priciest month	Median rent
01	CorneliusNC Pop. 33KCompare →	3.2%	December	July	$1,796/mo
02	HickoryNC Pop. 44KCompare →	3.2%	March	October	$1,522/mo
03	MorrisvilleNC Pop. 31KCompare →	2.6%	December	July	$1,650/mo
04	CaryNC Pop. 179KCompare →	2.5%	December	July	$1,768/mo
05	Chapel HillNC Pop. 62KCompare →	2.5%	January	June	$1,723/mo
06	ApexNC Pop. 71KCompare →	2.3%	February	July	$1,947/mo
07	ConcordNC Pop. 109KCompare →	2.3%	January	August	$1,784/mo
08	DurhamNC Pop. 291KCompare →	2.3%	December	July	$1,626/mo
09	Winston-SalemNC Pop. 252KCompare →	2.3%	December	July	$1,478/mo
10	MonroeNC Pop. 37KCompare →	2.2%	January	August	$1,896/mo
11	Fuquay VarinaNC Pop. 40KCompare →	2.2%	December	June	$1,875/mo
12	GarnerNC Pop. 34KCompare →	2.2%	January	August	$1,853/mo
13	KnightdaleNC Pop. 20KCompare →	2.2%	February	June	$1,698/mo
14	KernersvilleNC Pop. 28KCompare →	2.0%	January	June	$1,706/mo
15	Wake ForestNC Pop. 53KCompare →	1.9%	January	August	$1,798/mo
16	MooresvilleNC Pop. 52KCompare →	1.9%	January	July	$1,675/mo
17	KannapolisNC Pop. 58KCompare →	1.9%	January	July	$1,578/mo
18	RaleighNC Pop. 481KCompare →	1.9%	December	July	$1,572/mo
19	WilmingtonNC Pop. 121KCompare →	1.7%	January	July	$1,713/mo
20	GastoniaNC Pop. 83KCompare →	1.7%	December	July	$1,483/mo
21	CharlotteNC Pop. 904KCompare →	1.6%	January	July	$1,729/mo
22	WaxhawNC Pop. 22KCompare →	1.5%	January	July	$2,626/mo
23	Indian TrailNC Pop. 42KCompare →	1.5%	January	August	$2,004/mo
24	HuntersvilleNC Pop. 64KCompare →	1.5%	January	August	$1,903/mo
25	MatthewsNC Pop. 31KCompare →	1.5%	January	September	$1,736/mo
26	AshevilleNC Pop. 95KCompare →	1.5%	February	September	$1,726/mo
27	High PointNC Pop. 116KCompare →	1.5%	January	September	$1,418/mo
28	GreensboroNC Pop. 301KCompare →	1.5%	January	July	$1,395/mo
29	ClaytonNC Pop. 29KCompare →	1.3%	February	August	$1,797/mo
30	JacksonvilleNC Pop. 71KCompare →	1.3%	December	May	$1,421/mo
31	BurlingtonNC Pop. 60KCompare →	1.2%	November	August	$1,310/mo
32	Holly SpringsNC Pop. 45KCompare →	1.1%	May	February	$1,890/mo
33	FayettevilleNC Pop. 211KCompare →	1.1%	December	June	$1,362/mo
34	GreenvilleNC Pop. 93KCompare →	0.5%	October	March	$1,460/mo