Record-high rent in North Carolina
Cities in North Carolina where this month's typical rent is the highest in Zillow's records for that city, fastest-rising first. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Waxhaw ranks first, with a median rent of $2,626/mo.
- Across all 36 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,706/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Cities whose rent this month is the highest in at least three years of Zillow's rent index for that city. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
36 cities
| Rank | City | Median rent | 1-yr change | 5-yr change | Rent/income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | WaxhawNC | $2,626/mo | +5.6% | +26.7% | 23.9% |
| 02 | WilmingtonNC | $1,713/mo | +5.0% | +22.4% | 30.8% |
| 03 | Winston-SalemNC | $1,478/mo | +5.0% | +30.3% | 29.9% |
| 04 | StatesvilleNC | $1,765/mo | +4.8% | -- | 40.1% |
| 05 | Indian TrailNC | $2,004/mo | +4.7% | +21.4% | 22.2% |
| 06 | JacksonvilleNC | $1,421/mo | +4.3% | +37.4% | 29.6% |
| 07 | High PointNC | $1,418/mo | +3.8% | +35.2% | 26.4% |
| 08 | Elizabeth CityNC | $1,457/mo | +3.8% | -- | 33.5% |
| 09 | HickoryNC | $1,522/mo | +3.7% | -- | 28.3% |
| 10 | KernersvilleNC | $1,706/mo | +3.5% | +31.9% | 28.5% |
| 11 | Mount HollyNC | $1,772/mo | +3.4% | -- | 26.8% |
| 12 | Hope MillsNC | $1,673/mo | +3.4% | -- | 30.5% |
| 13 | DurhamNC | $1,626/mo | +3.3% | +17.4% | 23.9% |
| 14 | Wake ForestNC | $1,798/mo | +3.3% | +16.9% | 17.4% |
| 15 | BurlingtonNC | $1,310/mo | +3.2% | +37.0% | 27.6% |
| 16 | MebaneNC | $1,493/mo | +3.2% | -- | 21.5% |
| 17 | SalisburyNC | $1,393/mo | +2.9% | -- | 31.1% |
| 18 | ClemmonsNC | $1,785/mo | +2.9% | -- | 24.4% |
| 19 | Holly SpringsNC | $1,890/mo | +2.8% | +19.5% | 16.7% |
| 20 | MonroeNC | $1,896/mo | +2.6% | +28.8% | 31.4% |
| 21 | KnightdaleNC | $1,698/mo | +2.5% | +22.5% | 19.7% |
| 22 | KannapolisNC | $1,578/mo | +2.5% | +27.2% | 25.6% |
| 23 | Rocky MountNC | $1,259/mo | +2.4% | -- | 27.2% |
| 24 | BelmontNC | $1,819/mo | +2.4% | -- | 23.0% |
| 25 | ConcordNC | $1,784/mo | +2.4% | +20.7% | 24.6% |
| 26 | GastoniaNC | $1,483/mo | +2.4% | +27.2% | 27.8% |
| 27 | ClaytonNC | $1,797/mo | +2.3% | +17.4% | 27.4% |
| 28 | GreensboroNC | $1,395/mo | +2.3% | +27.5% | 27.2% |
| 29 | FayettevilleNC | $1,362/mo | +2.3% | +27.2% | 28.0% |
| 30 | MooresvilleNC | $1,675/mo | +2.1% | +16.7% | 22.4% |
| 31 | Fuquay VarinaNC | $1,875/mo | +2.1% | +16.1% | -- |
| 32 | CaryNC | $1,768/mo | +1.8% | +13.2% | 15.7% |
| 33 | RaleighNC | $1,572/mo | +1.6% | +12.8% | 22.1% |
| 34 | Chapel HillNC | $1,723/mo | +1.5% | +18.4% | 24.0% |
| 35 | CharlotteNC | $1,729/mo | +1.2% | +15.7% | 25.3% |
| 36 | GarnerNC | $1,853/mo | +0.9% | +16.8% | 28.2% |