1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Charlotte, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $1,752 and +5% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Charlotte
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 Charlotte
Compare Charlotte'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 | $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 Charlotte.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Charlotte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville, NC | 9.1 mi | $1,790 | +$328 (+22%) |
| Matthews, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,461 | $-1 (0%) |
| Mint Hill, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,720 | +$258 (+18%) |
| Belmont, NC | 14 mi | $1,450 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Huntersville, NC | 14 mi | $1,596 | +$134 (+9%) |
| Indian Trail, NC | 14.4 mi | $1,631 | +$169 (+12%) |
| Fort Mill, SC | 14.7 mi | $1,677 | +$215 (+15%) |
| Harrisburg, NC | 15.1 mi | $2,470 | +$1,008 (+69%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 15.7 mi | $1,290 | $-172 (-12%) |
| Stanley, NC | 18.9 mi | $1,180 | $-282 (-19%) |
| Cornelius, NC | 19 mi | $1,420 | $-42 (-3%) |
| Davidson, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,870 | +$408 (+28%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Charlotte — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlotte?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,462 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $1,752.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Charlotte?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $58,480 ($4,873/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charlotte expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Charlotte's 1-bedroom median of $1,462 is +5% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 55th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charlotte rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 123 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Charlotte ranks #99 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Charlotte?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Matthews ($1,461), Belmont ($1,450), Mount Holly ($1,290).