How much does it cost to rent in Apex, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Apex, NC is $2,017. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Apex cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Apex is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina, ranking #13 out of 126 cities tracked at $2,017/mo.

When was Apex rent data last updated?

Apex rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NC

Apex

Name: Average Rent Prices in Apex, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 70,630·13th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Apex, NC

Median rent (all units)

$2,017/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.0%

Month-over-Month

-1.2%

vs US Median

+$52

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Apex · $2,017

More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

64/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Apex's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,017/mo

Expected by trend

$2,167/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Apex's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,827

1 BR

$1,897

2 BR

$2,107

3 BR

$2,620

4 BR+

$3,517

Research median

$2,107/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$24,204/yr

At $2,017/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.0% YoY, -1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Apex, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 69.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

70,630

Median income

$144,135

Median age

36.4

Renters

23.5%

Age distribution

29.1%

18.4%

32.9%

Under 1829.1%

18–3418.4%

35–5432.9%

55–6410.2%

65+9.5%

Gender

48.8%

51.2%

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

Race & ethnicity

63.2%

19.5%

White63.2%

Black7.4%

Hispanic6.2%

Asian19.5%

Other3.7%

Education (25+)

19.9%

69.5%

No HS diploma1.7%

HS diploma8.9%

Some college19.9%

Bachelor's+69.5%

Housing tenure

76.5%

23.5%

Owner76.5%

Renter23.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Apex, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,621 → $2,017

up 24.4%

Income

$121,313 → $144,135

up 18.8%

Population

58,066 → 70,630

up 21.6%

Renter share

26.1% → 23.5%

-2.6 pts

Bachelor's+

64.4% → 69.5%

+5.1 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Apex, NC has shifted from $1,621 to $2,017, up 24.4% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $121,313 to $144,135 across the same window, up 18.8% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Apex, NC adding about 12,564 residents over the five-year window, up 21.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 26.1% to 23.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 64.4% to 69.5% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Apex, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Apex

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View Apex rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Apex on your salary?

At $2,017/mo, how Apex rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 27.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 38.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 33.3% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 18.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 14.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 41% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 45.4% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 36.8% income

stretched

By apartment size

Apex rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Apex. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Apex

About renting in Apex, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Apex is $2,017/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,827/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,107/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,897/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,620/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($144,135/yr), Apex ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Apex an affordable city for renters?

Apex is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,017/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($144,135/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Apex falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Apex?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,017/mo in Apex. The local median household income is $144,135/yr, meaning the typical Apex household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Apex?

Rent in Apex has increased 2.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Apex neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Apex are 27539 ($1,823/mo), 27523 ($1,951/mo), and 27502 ($2,126/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Apex is $2,017/mo.

How does Apex rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Apex is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #13 out of 126 tracked cities at $2,017/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Apex?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Apex ($2,017/mo): Morrisville ($1,714/mo), Chapel Hill ($1,763/mo), Cary ($1,775/mo).

What percentage of Apex residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 23.5% of Apex households are renters, while 76.5% are owner-occupied. Apex leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Apex rent compare to the national average?

Apex's median rent of $2,017/mo is $52 (3%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #13 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

17%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,017/mo, rent takes ~17% of Apex's median household income ($144,135/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Apex 17%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Apex affordability calculator →

Nearby cities