1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Cary, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Cary, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +2% lower than the citywide median of $1,791 and +26% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Cary
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Cary
Compare Cary's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranlo | $483 |
| 2 | Shelby | $710 |
| 3 | Lumberton | $730 |
| 4 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 5 | Henderson | $770 |
| 6 | Lillington | $780 |
| 7 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Lenoir | $820 |
| 10 | Raeford | $820 |
| 11 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 12 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 13 | Marion | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Kinston | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,470 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,950 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,930 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,897 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,870 |
| 6 | Pineville | $1,790 |
| 7 | Cary (this page) | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Kill Devil Hills | $1,711 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,596 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Cary.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Cary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville, NC | 5.7 mi | $1,388 | $-367 (-21%) |
| Apex, NC | 7 mi | $1,897 | +$142 (+8%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,297 | $-458 (-26%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,950 | +$195 (+11%) |
| Durham, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,600 | $-155 (-9%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 16.1 mi | $1,630 | $-125 (-7%) |
| Garner, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,530 | $-225 (-13%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 18 mi | $1,390 | $-365 (-21%) |
| Angier, NC | 21.9 mi | $1,320 | $-435 (-25%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 22.9 mi | $1,620 | $-135 (-8%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 23 mi | $1,580 | $-175 (-10%) |
| Carrboro, NC | 23.1 mi | $1,210 | $-545 (-31%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Cary — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Cary?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Cary, North Carolina is $1,755 per month. This is +2% below the citywide median of $1,791.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Cary?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $70,200 ($5,850/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cary expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Cary's 1-bedroom median of $1,755 is +26% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 72th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cary rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 123 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Cary ranks #117 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Cary?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,388), Raleigh ($1,297), Durham ($1,600).