Cost of Living in Carteret County, North Carolina

$1,062/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$304,200

Median Home Value

13% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,062/mo

13% above state average

Median Home Value

$304,200

8% above national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

33.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Carteret County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Carteret County$1,062/mo

North Carolina Average$938/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,062/mo

Median Gross Rent

$304,200

Median Home Value

$1,088/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

33.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

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.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Carteret County

Your Annual Household Income

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

Your rent-to-income ratio18.1%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Carteret County, North Carolina?

Carteret County, North Carolina has a median monthly rent of $1,062/mo and a median home value of $304,200. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 33.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Carteret County?

The median gross rent in Carteret County is $1,062/mo. This is 13% above state average for North Carolina.

Is Carteret County affordable?

Carteret County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 33.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Carteret County's rent compare to the state average?

Carteret County's median rent of $1,062/mo is 13% above state average of $938/mo for North Carolina.

What is the median home value in Carteret County?

The median home value in Carteret County, North Carolina is $304,200. This is 8% above the national median home value of $281,900.