3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Cary, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Cary, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +36% higher than the citywide median of $1,775 and +13% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 2 | Lumberton | $1,180 |
| 3 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 4 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 5 | Lenoir | $1,260 |
| 6 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 7 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 8 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 9 | Gibsonville | $1,319 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $1,340 |
| 11 | Archdale | $1,350 |
| 12 | Asheboro | $1,350 |
| 13 | Sylva | $1,350 |
| 14 | Thomasville | $1,350 |
| 15 | Kings Mountain | $1,360 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $3,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,690 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,640 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,620 |
| 5 | Chapel Hill | $2,600 |
| 6 | Davidson | $2,570 |
| 7 | Cornelius | $2,500 |
| 8 | Pineville | $2,440 |
| 9 | Cary (this page) | $2,415 |
| 10 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 11 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 12 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 13 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 14 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 15 | Vass | $2,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Cary.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Cary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville, NC | 5.7 mi | $1,953 | $-462 (-19%) |
| Apex, NC | 7 mi | $2,620 | +$205 (+8%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 11.7 mi | $2,257 | $-158 (-7%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 12.4 mi | $2,690 | +$275 (+11%) |
| Durham, NC | 15.2 mi | $2,280 | $-135 (-6%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 16.1 mi | $2,330 | $-85 (-4%) |
| Garner, NC | 17.7 mi | $2,100 | $-315 (-13%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 18 mi | $2,600 | +$185 (+8%) |
| Angier, NC | 21.9 mi | $1,840 | $-575 (-24%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 22.9 mi | $2,230 | $-185 (-8%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 23 mi | $2,180 | $-235 (-10%) |
| Carrboro, NC | 23.1 mi | $1,725 | $-690 (-29%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Cary — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Cary?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Cary, North Carolina is $2,415 per month. This is +36% higher than the citywide median of $1,775.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Cary?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $96,600 ($8,050/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.44/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cary expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Cary's 3-bedroom median of $2,415 is +13% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 62th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cary rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 124 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Cary ranks #116 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Cary?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,953), Raleigh ($2,257), Durham ($2,280).