Cost of Living in Carteret County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Carteret County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Carteret County ranks #2,172 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 31%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Carteret County, North Carolina
Carteret aligns closely with national norms
Carteret County renters spend 18.1% of their income on rent, nearly matching the national average and reflecting a balanced housing market. With a median household income of $70,235 and median rent of $1,062, Carteret sits squarely in the national affordability mainstream.
Slightly better than state average
Carteret's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio edges out North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, positioning it among the more affordable coastal counties. The median rent of $1,062 exceeds the state average but aligns with coastal market realities.
Moderate coastal affordability
Carteret's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio is more favorable than Brunswick ($20.5%) and Buncombe ($21.8%), making it a middle-ground coastal choice. The $1,062 median rent is lower than Brunswick's $1,267 while reflecting comparable beach-town demand.
Homeownership slightly pricier than renting
Carteret renters pay $1,062 monthly while homeowners spend $1,088, with median home values of $304,200. The $70,235 median income means housing consumes just over 18% of household budgets—a manageable level for most families.
Carteret: balanced coastal choice
Relocating to Carteret offers coastal living with modest affordability advantages—median rent of $1,062 and an 18.1% rent-to-income ratio beat nearby Brunswick. It's an accessible beach community for households with incomes near the $70,000 median.
Cost of Living Advisory: Carteret County
Affordability Verdict
For renters in Carteret County, the market is affordable. Expect to pay around $1,062/month in gross rent, with 33.0% of renter households considered cost-burdened.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Carteret County is $1,062/month, while owner costs run $1,088/month. Renting saves approximately $26/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $42,480/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $46,629/year. With a median household income of $70,235, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 33.0% of renter households in Carteret County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Granville County where rent averages $1,008/month, Carteret County is approximately 5% more expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Carteret County
Rent Burden
18.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,639
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.6%
of gross income
The median home in Carteret County may be a stretch
Median home value is $304,200. Estimated monthly cost: $2,429 vs. your max of $1,639.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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