Rent rising fastest in North Carolina
Cities in North Carolina with the largest year-over-year rent increases. Cities with 15,000+ residents. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- Kinston ranks first, with +30.8% over the past year.
- Across all 58 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,675/mo.
- Asheboro moved from #46 to #2 compared with a year ago.
Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's rent index over the past 12 months. Rank a year ago uses the change over the 12 months before that. 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
58 cities
| Rank | City | 1-yr change | Median rent | 5-yr change | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | KinstonNC | +30.8% | $1,181/mo | -- | -- |
| 02 | AsheboroNC | +7.8% | $1,038/mo | -- | ↑44 from #46 |
| 03 | LexingtonNC | +6.3% | $1,480/mo | -- | ↑15 from #18 |
| 04 | WaxhawNC | +5.6% | $2,626/mo | +26.7% | ↑35 from #39 |
| 05 | WilmingtonNC | +5.0% | $1,713/mo | +22.4% | ↑37 from #42 |
| 06 | Winston-SalemNC | +5.0% | $1,478/mo | +30.3% | ↑9 from #15 |
| 07 | StatesvilleNC | +4.8% | $1,765/mo | -- | ↑10 from #17 |
| 08 | Indian TrailNC | +4.7% | $2,004/mo | +21.4% | ↑27 from #35 |
| 09 | JacksonvilleNC | +4.3% | $1,421/mo | +37.4% | ↑3 from #12 |
| 10 | New BernNC | +4.0% | $1,555/mo | -- | ↓6 from #4 |
| 11 | ThomasvilleNC | +3.9% | $1,314/mo | -- | ↑15 from #26 |
| 12 | High PointNC | +3.8% | $1,418/mo | +35.2% | ↑2 from #14 |
| 13 | Elizabeth CityNC | +3.8% | $1,457/mo | -- | ↓2 from #11 |
| 14 | HickoryNC | +3.7% | $1,522/mo | -- | ↓6 from #8 |
| 15 | LelandNC | +3.6% | $1,697/mo | -- | ↑42 from #57 |
| 16 | KernersvilleNC | +3.5% | $1,706/mo | +31.9% | ↓10 from #6 |
| 17 | Mount HollyNC | +3.4% | $1,772/mo | -- | ↑13 from #30 |
| 18 | Hope MillsNC | +3.4% | $1,673/mo | -- | ↑5 from #23 |
| 19 | DurhamNC | +3.3% | $1,626/mo | +17.4% | ↑31 from #50 |
| 20 | Wake ForestNC | +3.3% | $1,798/mo | +16.9% | ↑8 from #28 |
| 21 | BurlingtonNC | +3.2% | $1,310/mo | +37.0% | ↑28 from #49 |
| 22 | MebaneNC | +3.2% | $1,493/mo | -- | ↑18 from #40 |
| 23 | CarrboroNC | +3.2% | $1,564/mo | -- | ↓21 from #2 |
| 24 | SalisburyNC | +2.9% | $1,393/mo | -- | ↑9 from #33 |
| 25 | ClemmonsNC | +2.9% | $1,785/mo | -- | ↓18 from #7 |
| 26 | Holly SpringsNC | +2.8% | $1,890/mo | +19.5% | ↓7 from #19 |
| 27 | MonroeNC | +2.6% | $1,896/mo | +28.8% | ↓17 from #10 |
| 28 | MorrisvilleNC | +2.6% | $1,650/mo | +6.7% | ↑27 from #55 |
| 29 | KnightdaleNC | +2.5% | $1,698/mo | +22.5% | ↑12 from #41 |
| 30 | KannapolisNC | +2.5% | $1,578/mo | +27.2% | ↓9 from #21 |
| 31 | HendersonvilleNC | +2.5% | $1,674/mo | -- | ↑14 from #45 |
| 32 | Rocky MountNC | +2.4% | $1,259/mo | -- | ↓16 from #16 |
| 33 | BelmontNC | +2.4% | $1,819/mo | -- | ↓11 from #22 |
| 34 | ConcordNC | +2.4% | $1,784/mo | +20.7% | ↓3 from #31 |
| 35 | GastoniaNC | +2.4% | $1,483/mo | +27.2% | ↓22 from #13 |
| 36 | ClaytonNC | +2.3% | $1,797/mo | +17.4% | ↑17 from #53 |
| 37 | GreensboroNC | +2.3% | $1,395/mo | +27.5% | ↓13 from #24 |
| 38 | WilsonNC | +2.3% | $1,494/mo | -- | same |
| 39 | FayettevilleNC | +2.3% | $1,362/mo | +27.2% | ↓19 from #20 |
| 40 | HavelockNC | +2.3% | $1,542/mo | -- | ↓39 from #1 |
| 41 | GoldsboroNC | +2.2% | $1,503/mo | -- | ↓32 from #9 |
| 42 | MooresvilleNC | +2.1% | $1,675/mo | +16.7% | ↑6 from #48 |
| 43 | Fuquay VarinaNC | +2.1% | $1,875/mo | +16.1% | ↓6 from #37 |
| 44 | GreenvilleNC | +2.0% | $1,460/mo | +32.7% | ↓12 from #32 |
| 45 | CaryNC | +1.8% | $1,768/mo | +13.2% | ↑9 from #54 |
| 46 | RaleighNC | +1.6% | $1,572/mo | +12.8% | ↑1 from #47 |
| 47 | Chapel HillNC | +1.5% | $1,723/mo | +18.4% | ↓20 from #27 |
| 48 | SanfordNC | +1.3% | $1,734/mo | -- | ↓14 from #34 |
| 49 | CharlotteNC | +1.2% | $1,729/mo | +15.7% | ↓6 from #43 |
| 50 | HuntersvilleNC | +1.0% | $1,903/mo | +16.9% | ↓25 from #25 |