1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Charlotte, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $1,729 and +3% 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 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 4 | Henderson | $770 |
| 5 | Lillington | $780 |
| 6 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 7 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Washington | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $850 |
| 15 | Mount Airy | $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 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Carrboro | $1,635 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,586 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
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 | $1,281 | $-161 (-11%) |
| Matthews, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,447 | +$5 (0%) |
| Mint Hill, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,720 | +$278 (+19%) |
| Belmont, NC | 14 mi | $1,450 | +$8 (+1%) |
| Huntersville, NC | 14 mi | $1,586 | +$144 (+10%) |
| Indian Trail, NC | 14.4 mi | $1,631 | +$189 (+13%) |
| Fort Mill, SC | 14.7 mi | $1,677 | +$235 (+16%) |
| Harrisburg, NC | 15.1 mi | $2,470 | +$1,028 (+71%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 15.7 mi | $1,290 | $-152 (-11%) |
| Stanley, NC | 18.9 mi | $1,180 | $-262 (-18%) |
| Cornelius, NC | 19 mi | $1,830 | +$388 (+27%) |
| Davidson, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,870 | +$428 (+30%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Charlotte — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Charlotte?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,442 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $1,729.
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 $57,680 ($4,807/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.73/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 $1,442 is +3% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 53th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charlotte rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Charlotte ranks #96 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Charlotte?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Pineville ($1,281), Mount Holly ($1,290), Stanley ($1,180).