City · 70,630 residents · Wake County, North Carolina
Apex, North Carolina
In Apex, a typical home is worth $576,100 and typical rent is $1,902 a month. Compared with all of Wake County, typical household income is 36% higher, the typical home value is 25% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 12 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $474,946 to $588,793.
Typical rent
$1,947a month
▲ 0.6% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,759 to $1,947.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Apex is in Wake County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Wake County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical household income in Apex is $144,135,36% more than in Wake County as a whole ($105,768).
2
Apex has the 9th highest typical home value of the 166 cities in North Carolina with more than 5,000 people ($576,100).
3
Nearby, in Fuquay-Varina, the typical home value is $451,500: 22% less than in Apex ($576,100).
4
77% of households in Apex own their home, against 64% in Wake County.
5
The typical rent in Apex is $1,902 a month, 17% more than in Wake County as a whole ($1,623).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Apex
What homes there are in Apex, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
United States
Kind of home: Apex and its comparisons
Measure
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
United States
Detached house
68%
58%
65%
61%
Attached house
16%
12%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
14%
24%
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
3%
11%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Apex: 68% of homes, more than in Wake County (58%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
United States
Year built: Apex and its comparisons
Measure
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
United States
Before 1960
2%
5%
14%
26%
1960–1979
2%
13%
20%
24%
1980–1999
27%
32%
31%
25%
2000–2009
24%
24%
19%
14%
2010 or later
46%
26%
17%
11%
Here half of the homes date from 2008 or later; in Wake County, from 2000 or later.
Homes in Apex are bigger: 83% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Wake County, 67%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K1%
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K4%
$300K–$500K32%
$500K–$750K42%
$750K–$1M17%
$1M or more4%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Apex and its comparisons
Measure
Apex
Under $100K
1%
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
4%
$300K–$500K
32%
$500K–$750K
42%
$750K–$1M
17%
$1M or more
4%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49915%
$1,500–$1,99939%
$2,000–$2,49925%
$2,500–$2,99912%
$3,000 or more6%
Monthly rent with utilities: Apex and its comparisons
Measure
Apex
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
15%
$1,500–$1,999
39%
$2,000–$2,499
25%
$2,500–$2,999
12%
$3,000 or more
6%
With a mortgage
$2,396 a month
Wake County: $2,113 a month
Without a mortgage
$705 a month
Wake County: $672 a month
Owners with a mortgage
77%
Wake County: 74%
Owning costs more in Apex: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $2,396 a month; in Wake County, $2,113. Without one, $705.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Apex+76%
Wake County+64%
North Carolina+68%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Apex+38%
Wake County+41%
North Carolina+35%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Apex+29%
Wake County+31%
North Carolina+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Apex and its comparisons
Measure
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
United States
Typical home value
+76%
+64%
+68%
+53%
Typical rent
+38%
+41%
+35%
+33%
Typical household income
+29%
+31%
+33%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Apex gained value faster than in Wake County: 76% against 64%.
The typical rent in Apex rose 38% over the same time; in Wake County, it rose 41%.
Housing prices ran ahead of income in Apex: typical income rose 29%, against +76% for home values and +38% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Apex and its comparisons
Measure
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
8.9%
7.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.6%
1.3%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.9%
2.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.79
2.51
2.44
2.53
Drive alone
55%
61%
72%
69%
Carpool
5%
6%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
36%
29%
16%
15%
Other means
2%
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More people live in each home here: 2.79 on average, against 2.51 in Wake County.
Many people here do not commute at all: 36% work from home; in Wake County, 29%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Apex?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Apex, worth $576,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 39% of the typical household income in Apex, which is $144,135 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $199,634 a year. Note: at that price the loan is above the FHA limit for Wake County ($541,287), so FHA would not insure it; the payment is only a reference.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Wake County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Apex. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $20,164 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$4,658
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$565,665
Total interest
$813,859
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $9,729 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $3,363 a month
Tight
$3,363 to $4,324 a month
Hard
more than $4,324 a month
Your payment · 39%
Compared with the typical household income in Apex ($144,135 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$3,832
Property tax
$331
Home insurance
$240
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$255
This loan is over the FHA limit
You'd borrow $555,936, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Apex is $541,287. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.
You need at least $20,164 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $4,658; principal and interest $3,832.
The city and its county
Apex and Wake County
Apex is in Wake County, North Carolina. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Apex
Map of Wake County, North Carolina, with Apex marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Apex
Wake County
Other cities with a page
Apex's own numbers
Typical home value
$576,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,902
Typical yearly household income
$144,135
Households that own their home
77%
Effective property tax rate
0.69%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Wake County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,689
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.5%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Wake County.
A typical home in Apex is worth $576,100: 25% above the county and 99% above North Carolina. With the typical household income in Apex ($144,135 a year), a typical home costs 4.0 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Apex4.0 years
Wake4.4 years
North Carolina4.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Wake County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Wake County rose 107% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Wake County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Wake County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +6.6% +6.6% 2016
2017: +7.0% +7.0% 2017
2018: +6.1% +6.1% 2018
2019: +5.4% +5.4% 2019
2020: +3.2% +3.2% 2020
2021: +13.8% +13.8% 2021
2022: +23.7% +23.7% 2022
2023: +5.6% +5.6% 2023
2024: +4.7% +4.7% 2024
2025: +1.0% +1.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Wake County, North Carolina and the United States
Period
County
North Carolina
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.0%
+2.5%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+57%
+60%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+107%
+107%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Apex next to Wake County, North Carolina and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Apex$576,100
Wake$461,300
North Carolina$288,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Apex$1,902
Wake$1,623
North Carolina$1,228
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Apex$144,135
Wake$105,768
North Carolina$72,388
United States$80,734
See the full table
Apex next to Wake County and North Carolina
Measure
Apex
Wake County
North Carolina
U.S.
Typical home value
$576,100 ▲25% above the county
$461,300
$288,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,902 ▲17% above the county
$1,623
$1,228
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$144,135 ▲36% above the county
$105,768
$72,388
$80,734
Households that own their home
77% ▲12 points above the county
64%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,001 ▲23% above the county
$3,260
$1,896
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.69% ▼0.02 points below the county
0.71%
0.66%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
44% ▼4 points below the county
48%
49%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Wake County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Apex
For a typical $576,100 home in Apex, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Apex's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$4,658a month
Above the FHA limit for Wake County ($541,287)
Down payment
$20,164
Cash to close
$37,447
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $255
Conventional, 5% down$4,553a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$28,805
Cash to close
$46,088
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $274
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,693a month
Down payment
$115,220
Cash to close
$132,503
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$4,226a month
Down payment
$86,415
Cash to close
$103,698
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Apex
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Above the FHA limit for Wake County ($541,287)
$4,658
$20,164
$565,665
7.18%
FHA MIP · $255
$37,447
580
Conventional, 5% down Least cash to close
$4,553
$28,805
$547,295
7.18%
PMI · $274
$46,088
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,693
$115,220
$460,880
7.18%
None
$132,503
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$4,226
$86,415
$489,685
8.18%
None
$103,698
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is Conventional, 5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Apex is $1,902 a month: 17% above the county. In Apex, 44% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Wake County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,689 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $32.48 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Wake County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,489
$28.63
$59,560
1 bedroom
$1,552
$29.85
$62,080
2 bedrooms
$1,689
$32.48
$67,560
3 bedrooms
$2,103
$40.44
$84,120
4 bedrooms
$2,823
$54.29
$112,920
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Apex
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Apex has 3 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,990 in 27539 to $2,080 in 27523.
3 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Wake County ($1,689).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 3 ZIP codes of Apex, beside the one for Wake County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,990 in 27539 to $2,080 in 27523. 3 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Wake County ($1,689).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,689
Lowest: $1,990 (27539)Highest: $2,080 (27523)
Fair market rent by ZIP code, HUD area and size in Apex, fiscal year 2027. A ZIP code that crosses a HUD area line appears once per area.
27502
Raleigh-Cary, NC
$1,820
$1,890
$2,060
$2,570
$3,440
27523
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
$1,820
$1,900
$2,080
$2,580
$3,390
27539
Raleigh-Cary, NC
$1,750
$1,830
$1,990
$2,480
$3,330
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
27502 $2,060$2,570
27523 $2,080$2,580
27539 $1,990$2,480
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Apex when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 9 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Wake County; 7 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Apex or Wake County. The ones below are statewide in North Carolina: they work in Apex the same as in the rest of the state.
NCHFA fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, in North Carolina.Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).
A fixed amount of NCHFA down payment assistance for first-time buyers and veterans in North Carolina.Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).
NCHFA interest-free loan with deferred payments of up to 25% of the price (maximum $50,000) for the down payment of low- and moderate-income buyers in North Carolina; you apply through a member organization.Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Apex or Wake County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Apex and all of Wake County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Apex?
The typical home value in Apex is $576,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Wake County it is $461,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Apex?
Typical rent in Apex is $1,902 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Wake County is $1,689.
What is the FHA loan limit in Apex?
Apex uses the FHA limit for all of Wake County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Apex?
The typical homeowner in Apex pays $4,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.69% of the home’s value; in Wake County, the rate is 0.71%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Apex?
There are 9 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Wake County. 7 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.