Special Interest
Housing in Carteret County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Carteret County averages $1,108/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the North Carolina median of $1,228 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 34% of household income on rent, above the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Carteret County FMR Area are $978 for a studio, $985 for 1‑bedroom, $1,292 for 2‑bedroom, $1,662 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,120 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $184 increase for a 2-bedroom in Carteret County shows a 17% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Carteret County was 3.4% in 2024, compared to North Carolina at 3.6% and the national rate of 4.0%.
