salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,760 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 60 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Elizabeth City?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Elizabeth City
| Size | Elizabeth City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $611 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $703 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,030 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,390 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,342 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Elizabeth City overall?
Everyday prices in North Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Elizabeth City, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Elizabeth City
Life in Elizabeth City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Elizabeth City?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $8 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $187,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,770 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Elizabeth City, NC?
Renting in Elizabeth City costs a median of about $1,294 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Elizabeth City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,760 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Elizabeth City cheap or expensive?
Elizabeth City is rated OK: rent takes 27.6% of the typical household income of $56,234. It ranks 60th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Elizabeth City?
The median homeowner in Elizabeth City pays $1,600 a year in property taxes, about 0.85% of the median home value.
Is Elizabeth City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in North Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Elizabeth City?
The median home value in Elizabeth City is $187,700, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
18,871 people live in Elizabeth City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.