Studio Apartment Rent in Carolina Beach, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Carolina Beach, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +57% lower than the citywide median of $2,691 and +11% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Carolina Beach
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 Carolina Beach
Compare Carolina Beach'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 Carolina Beach.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Carolina Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | 12.5 mi | $1,125 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Leland, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,200 | +$50 (+4%) |
| Bolivia, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,110 | $-40 (-3%) |
| Hampstead, NC | 31.9 mi | $1,000 | $-150 (-13%) |
| Shallotte, NC | 34.6 mi | $940 | $-210 (-18%) |
| Holly Ridge, NC | 38.8 mi | $1,010 | $-140 (-12%) |
| Sneads Ferry, NC | 48.1 mi | $1,090 | $-60 (-5%) |
| Little River, SC | 53.6 mi | $1,140 | $-10 (-1%) |
| North Myrtle Beach, SC | 53.8 mi | $1,240 | +$90 (+8%) |
| Longs, SC | 58.7 mi | $1,260 | +$110 (+10%) |
| Jacksonville, NC | 60.3 mi | $845 | $-305 (-27%) |
| Richlands, NC | 61.5 mi | $910 | $-240 (-21%) |
Studio rent in Carolina Beach — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Carolina Beach?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Carolina Beach, North Carolina is $1,150 per month. This is +57% below the citywide median of $2,691.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Carolina Beach?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,000 ($3,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carolina Beach expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Carolina Beach's studio median of $1,150 is +11% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 39th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carolina Beach rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Carolina Beach ranks #66 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Carolina Beach?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Wilmington ($1,125), Bolivia ($1,110), Hampstead ($1,000).