Studio Apartment Rent in Carrboro, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Carrboro, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $1,480 and +11% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Carrboro
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 Carrboro
Compare Carrboro'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? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Carrboro.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Carrboro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill, NC | 5.7 mi | $1,725 | +$581 (+51%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,250 | +$106 (+9%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 12.6 mi | $1,440 | +$296 (+26%) |
| Durham, NC | 16 mi | $1,517 | +$373 (+33%) |
| Graham, NC | 16.2 mi | $840 | $-304 (-27%) |
| Mebane, NC | 18.9 mi | $1,250 | +$106 (+9%) |
| Apex, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,827 | +$683 (+60%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 20.4 mi | $1,352 | +$208 (+18%) |
| Cary, NC | 23.1 mi | $1,685 | +$541 (+47%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 25.7 mi | $1,870 | +$726 (+63%) |
| Burlington, NC | 25.8 mi | $855 | $-289 (-25%) |
| Sanford, NC | 32 mi | $1,110 | $-34 (-3%) |
Studio rent in Carrboro — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Carrboro?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Carrboro, North Carolina is $1,144 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $1,480.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Carrboro?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $45,760 ($3,813/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carrboro expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Carrboro's studio median of $1,144 is +11% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 39th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carrboro rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Carrboro ranks #65 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Carrboro?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Graham ($840), Burlington ($855), Sanford ($1,110).