1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Charlotte, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $1,746 and +4% 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 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 8 | Lenoir | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $850 |
| 14 | Wilson | $855 |
| 15 | Nashville | $870 |
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 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $1,825 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,790 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 11 | Raleigh | $1,639 |
| 12 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 13 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 14 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 15 | Durham | $1,600 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Charlotte.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Charlotte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville, NC | 9.1 mi | $1,790 | +$333 (+23%) |
| Matthews, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,464 | +$7 (0%) |
| Mint Hill, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,720 | +$263 (+18%) |
| Belmont, NC | 14 mi | $1,450 | $-7 (0%) |
| Huntersville, NC | 14 mi | $1,576 | +$119 (+8%) |
| Indian Trail, NC | 14.4 mi | $1,631 | +$174 (+12%) |
| Fort Mill, SC | 14.7 mi | $1,677 | +$220 (+15%) |
| Harrisburg, NC | 15.1 mi | $2,470 | +$1,013 (+70%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 15.7 mi | $1,290 | $-167 (-11%) |
| Cornelius, NC | 19 mi | $1,830 | +$373 (+26%) |
| Davidson, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,870 | +$413 (+28%) |
| Concord, NC | 20.7 mi | $1,455 | $-2 (0%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Charlotte — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlotte?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,457 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $1,746.
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 $58,280 ($4,857/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.02/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 $1,457 is +4% 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 122 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Charlotte ranks #95 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Charlotte?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Belmont ($1,450), Mount Holly ($1,290), Concord ($1,455).