Studio Apartment Rent in Asheville, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Asheville, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $1,688 and +14% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Asheville
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Asheville
Compare Asheville's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waynesville | $675 |
| 2 | Albemarle | $690 |
| 3 | Shelby | $700 |
| 4 | Lumberton | $720 |
| 5 | Lenoir | $730 |
| 6 | Henderson | $760 |
| 7 | Lillington | $770 |
| 8 | Marion | $790 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 10 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 11 | Raeford | $810 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $845 |
| 15 | Lexington | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,870 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,860 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,827 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,800 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,770 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $1,725 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 12 | Raleigh | $1,579 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,521 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Asheville.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Asheville |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arden, NC | 9.8 mi | $1,500 | +$34 (+2%) |
| Swannanoa, NC | 10.1 mi | $1,290 | $-176 (-12%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 10.3 mi | $1,290 | $-176 (-12%) |
| Fletcher, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,350 | $-116 (-8%) |
| Candler, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,290 | $-176 (-12%) |
| Black Mountain, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,290 | $-176 (-12%) |
| Hendersonville, NC | 19.2 mi | $1,290 | $-176 (-12%) |
| Waynesville, NC | 31.3 mi | $675 | $-791 (-54%) |
| Brevard, NC | 33 mi | $880 | $-586 (-40%) |
| Marion, NC | 36.3 mi | $790 | $-676 (-46%) |
| Travelers Rest, SC | 38.1 mi | $970 | $-496 (-34%) |
| Greeneville, TN | 43.7 mi | $414 | $-1,052 (-72%) |
Studio rent in Asheville — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Asheville?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Asheville, North Carolina is $1,466 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $1,688.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Asheville?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $58,640 ($4,887/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Asheville expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Asheville's studio median of $1,466 is +14% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 63th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Asheville rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Asheville ranks #97 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Asheville?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Swannanoa ($1,290), Weaverville ($1,290), Fletcher ($1,350).