County FMR · HUD FY2026

Brunswick County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Brunswick County, NC - 36% above the US average.

$1,301
1-bedroom FMR
$1,426
2-bedroom FMR
+12.3%
YoY change
+36%
vs US avg

The verdict

Brunswick is the 18th most expensive of 100 counties in North Carolina by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #535 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 12.3% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#535
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#18
most expensive of 100 in North Carolina (2BR)
+33%
vs the state average
$52,040
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.9%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (55.3%); only 6 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Brunswick County, NC. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Brunswick County, North Carolina is $1,301 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,426/mo and a studio is $1,242/mo. This is 36% higher than the national average of $959 and 33% above the North Carolina average of $981.

Rent increased12.3% from FY 2025 ($1,158), outpacing inflation. A household needs about $52,040/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

Observed renter burden: 43.3% of the 10,413 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in North Carolina. Population: 139,721. Population grew 15.0% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's faster than North Carolina's statewide growth of +4.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area BRUNSWICK·COUNTY·NC·NC

Brunswick County, NC: $1,301/mo 1BR · #535 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA NC
  • 1BR-FMR $1,301
  • 2BR-FMR $1,426
  • RANK-MID #535
  • YOY-SURGE +12.3%
  • VSUS-HIGH +36%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +33% NC
  • INC-MID 21%
  • POP-MID 140K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Wake County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,171–$1,431
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Wake ($295 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $932 · US avg: $893
$1,242/mo
↑ 17.5% YoY +33% vs state +39% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $981 · US avg: $959
$1,301/mo
↑ 12.3% YoY +33% vs state +36% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $1,175
$1,426/mo
↑ 11.2% YoY +23% vs state +21% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,499 · US avg: $1,525
$1,983/mo
↑ 10.4% YoY +32% vs state +30% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,780 · US avg: $1,756
$2,392/mo
↑ 11.1% YoY +34% vs state +36% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,057
$1,242
+$185 (+17.5%)
1 Bedroom $1,158
$1,301
+$143 (+12.3%)
2 Bedroom $1,282
$1,426
+$144 (+11.2%)
3 Bedroom $1,796
$1,983
+$187 (+10.4%)
4 Bedroom $2,153
$2,392
+$239 (+11.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Brunswick County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
20.1%
Affordable
Need $49,680/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21.1%
Affordable
Need $52,040/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.1%
Affordable
Need $57,040/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
32.1%
Burdened
Need $79,320/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
38.8%
Burdened
Need $95,680/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%23.1%
Brunswick County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $74,034 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View North Carolina rent burden →

Where Brunswick sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,426 Top 17% higher than 83% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Below this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). This entry sits in this band. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Brunswick compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other North Carolina counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Brunswick is highlighted. Nearby North Carolina counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Wake County ($1,596), Mecklenburg County ($1,538), Durham County ($1,507), Brunswick County (this county) ($1,301), Guilford County ($1,213), Cumberland County ($1,113), Forsyth County ($1,082).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

Against a high local FMR of $1,301/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using North Carolina BLS wages?

Occupation NC Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $131,000 11.9% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,190 15.7% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,860 19.1% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,490 19.4% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,030 26.9% Affordable
Electricians $54,070 28.9% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,580 31.5% Stretched
Elementary School Teachers $49,400 31.6% Stretched
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,390 31.6% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $39,870 39.2% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $39,530 39.5% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $32,630 47.8% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $30,090 51.9% Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,760 54.3% Unaffordable
Teaching Assistants $28,230 55.3% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (North Carolina) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Brunswick County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Brunswick (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 85.9% overall, from $700 to $1,301. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +19.4% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$800$1,000$1,200$1,400 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,301
Brunswick County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑12.3% $1,242 $1,301 $1,426
FY 2025 ↑14.9% $1,057 $1,158 $1,282
FY 2024 ↑19.4% $951 $1,008 $1,132
FY 2023 ↑3.8% $820 $844 $953
FY 2022 ↑12.9% $786 $813 $926
FY 2021 ↑2.9% $698 $720 $841
FY 2020 $664 $700 $845
Total change (6yr): +85.9%
Annualized: +10.9%/yr
1 BR: $700 → $1,301

Part of the Wilmington, NC Metro Area

Brunswick County is a central county of the Wilmington, NC metropolitan statistical area, alongside 2 other metro-area counties.

Brunswick County ranks #2 of 3 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: New Hanover County ($1,513), Brunswick County (this county) ($1,301), Pender County ($1,064).

New Hanover County
1 BR: $1,513/mo
Brunswick County (this county)
1 BR: $1,301/mo
Pender County
1 BR: $1,064/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Brunswick County, both outside North Carolina so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside NC (FY2026).

Bexar County
TX · 2 BR $1,426/mo
Guadalupe County
TX · 2 BR $1,426/mo
Comal County
TX · 2 BR $1,426/mo
Wilson County
TX · 2 BR $1,426/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside NC).

Mono County
CA · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $1,675/mo
Lea County
NM · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $1,324/mo
Clay County
FL · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $1,658/mo
Ottawa County
OK · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $937/mo

Nearby Counties in North Carolina

Largest counties by population in North Carolina

Showing the 8 largest of 99 other counties in North Carolina.

Wake County
1 BR: $1,596/mo Pop: 1,132,103
Mecklenburg County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 1,115,403
Guilford County
1 BR: $1,213/mo Pop: 539,557
Forsyth County
1 BR: $1,082/mo Pop: 383,739
Cumberland County
1 BR: $1,113/mo Pop: 335,207
Durham County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 325,101
Buncombe County
1 BR: $1,429/mo Pop: 269,449
Union County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 240,109
View all counties in North Carolina →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Brunswick County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Brunswick County is $1,301 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,426 and a studio is $1,242.
How does Brunswick County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Brunswick County is 36% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,301 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Brunswick County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Brunswick County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,426 ranks #535 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Brunswick County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $52,040 ($4,337/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Brunswick County.
Is rent going up or down in Brunswick County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Brunswick County increased by 12.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,158 to $1,301.
Which jobs can afford rent in Brunswick County? ▼
Based on North Carolina BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,301/mo. 6 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Brunswick County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Brunswick County went from $700 in FY 2020 to $1,301 in FY 2026, a total change of +85.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Brunswick County? ▼
In Brunswick County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,301/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Brunswick County? ▼
For Brunswick County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,301/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.