Home/Rankings/Most overheated/North Carolina

Most overheated rental markets in North Carolina

Name: Most Overheated Rental Markets in North Carolina by Rent Reality Score
Creator: RentDataNow

Cities in North Carolina renting furthest above their own 10-year trend, ranked by Rent Reality Score. Updated monthly.

Key findings

Hickory ranks first, with a Rent Reality Score of 48.
Across all 53 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,698/mo.

Data as of September 2026. RentDataNow's Rent Reality Score compares each city's current rent with its own 10-year trend. High-confidence trends only. 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

53 cities

Rank	City	Score	Median rent	Vs. trend	1-yr change
01	HickoryNC Pop. 44KCompare →	48	$1,522/mo	+1.1%	+3.7%
02	MebaneNC Pop. 20KCompare →	51	$1,493/mo	-0.3%	+3.2%
03	ClemmonsNC Pop. 22KCompare →	52	$1,785/mo	-1.0%	+2.9%
04	New BernNC Pop. 33KCompare →	53	$1,555/mo	-1.5%	+4.0%
05	Hope MillsNC Pop. 18KCompare →	53	$1,673/mo	-1.4%	+3.4%
06	ThomasvilleNC Pop. 27KCompare →	54	$1,314/mo	-1.8%	+3.9%
07	StatesvilleNC Pop. 30KCompare →	55	$1,765/mo	-2.3%	+4.8%
08	Mount HollyNC Pop. 18KCompare →	55	$1,772/mo	-2.5%	+3.4%
09	HavelockNC Pop. 18KCompare →	55	$1,542/mo	-2.6%	+2.3%
10	WilsonNC Pop. 48KCompare →	56	$1,494/mo	-2.9%	+2.3%
11	GoldsboroNC Pop. 34KCompare →	56	$1,503/mo	-3.0%	+2.2%
12	HendersonvilleNC Pop. 15KCompare →	56	$1,674/mo	-2.8%	+2.5%
13	WaxhawNC Pop. 22KCompare →	57	$2,626/mo	-3.7%	+5.6%
14	JacksonvilleNC Pop. 71KCompare →	58	$1,421/mo	-4.0%	+4.3%
15	Elizabeth CityNC Pop. 19KCompare →	58	$1,457/mo	-3.8%	+3.8%
16	High PointNC Pop. 116KCompare →	59	$1,418/mo	-4.6%	+3.8%
17	BelmontNC Pop. 16KCompare →	59	$1,819/mo	-4.3%	+2.4%
18	Winston-SalemNC Pop. 252KCompare →	60	$1,478/mo	-4.9%	+5.0%
19	SalisburyNC Pop. 36KCompare →	60	$1,393/mo	-4.9%	+2.9%
20	SanfordNC Pop. 31KCompare →	61	$1,734/mo	-5.6%	+1.3%
21	Indian TrailNC Pop. 42KCompare →	62	$2,004/mo	-6.0%	+4.7%
22	KernersvilleNC Pop. 28KCompare →	62	$1,706/mo	-6.2%	+3.5%
23	GreenvilleNC Pop. 93KCompare →	63	$1,460/mo	-6.4%	+2.0%
24	Mint HillNC Pop. 28KCompare →	63	$1,650/mo	-6.7%	-1.3%
25	Southern PinesNC Pop. 16KCompare →	63	$1,753/mo	-6.6%	-1.1%
26	GreensboroNC Pop. 301KCompare →	64	$1,395/mo	-6.9%	+2.3%
27	HuntersvilleNC Pop. 64KCompare →	64	$1,903/mo	-7.2%	+1.0%
28	Rocky MountNC Pop. 54KCompare →	64	$1,259/mo	-7.0%	+2.4%
29	MonroeNC Pop. 37KCompare →	64	$1,896/mo	-7.0%	+2.6%
30	DavidsonNC Pop. 16KCompare →	65	$2,107/mo	-7.4%	+0.1%
31	DurhamNC Pop. 291KCompare →	66	$1,626/mo	-7.9%	+3.3%
32	FayettevilleNC Pop. 211KCompare →	66	$1,362/mo	-7.8%	+2.3%
33	CaryNC Pop. 179KCompare →	66	$1,768/mo	-7.8%	+1.8%
34	ApexNC Pop. 71KCompare →	66	$1,947/mo	-8.2%	+0.8%
35	Wake ForestNC Pop. 53KCompare →	66	$1,798/mo	-8.1%	+3.3%
36	KnightdaleNC Pop. 20KCompare →	66	$1,698/mo	-8.2%	+2.5%
37	Fuquay VarinaNC Pop. 40KCompare →	67	$1,875/mo	-8.4%	+2.1%
38	ClaytonNC Pop. 29KCompare →	67	$1,797/mo	-8.7%	+2.3%
39	ConcordNC Pop. 109KCompare →	68	$1,784/mo	-8.8%	+2.4%
40	Chapel HillNC Pop. 62KCompare →	68	$1,723/mo	-8.8%	+1.5%
41	BurlingtonNC Pop. 60KCompare →	68	$1,310/mo	-8.9%	+3.2%
42	MooresvilleNC Pop. 52KCompare →	68	$1,675/mo	-9.0%	+2.1%
43	Holly SpringsNC Pop. 45KCompare →	68	$1,890/mo	-8.8%	+2.8%
44	MorrisvilleNC Pop. 31KCompare →	68	$1,650/mo	-9.2%	+2.6%
45	RaleighNC Pop. 481KCompare →	70	$1,572/mo	-10.1%	+1.6%
46	GastoniaNC Pop. 83KCompare →	70	$1,483/mo	-10.1%	+2.4%
47	CharlotteNC Pop. 904KCompare →	72	$1,729/mo	-11.2%	+1.2%
48	WilmingtonNC Pop. 121KCompare →	72	$1,713/mo	-10.9%	+5.0%
49	GarnerNC Pop. 34KCompare →	72	$1,853/mo	-10.9%	+0.9%
50	CorneliusNC Pop. 33KCompare →	72	$1,796/mo	-11.1%	+1.0%