Studio Apartment Rent in Charlotte, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $1,746 and +9% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Charlotte
Compare Charlotte's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waynesville | $675 |
| 2 | Albemarle | $690 |
| 3 | Shelby | $700 |
| 4 | Lumberton | $720 |
| 5 | Lenoir | $730 |
| 6 | Henderson | $760 |
| 7 | Lillington | $770 |
| 8 | Marion | $790 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 10 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 11 | Raeford | $810 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $845 |
| 15 | Lexington | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,870 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,860 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,827 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,800 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,770 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $1,725 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 12 | Raleigh | $1,579 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,521 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Charlotte.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Charlotte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville, NC | 9.1 mi | $1,720 | +$317 (+23%) |
| Matthews, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,411 | +$8 (+1%) |
| Mint Hill, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,650 | +$247 (+18%) |
| Belmont, NC | 14 mi | $1,390 | $-13 (-1%) |
| Huntersville, NC | 14 mi | $1,521 | +$118 (+8%) |
| Fort Mill, SC | 14.7 mi | $1,620 | +$217 (+15%) |
| Harrisburg, NC | 15.1 mi | $2,380 | +$977 (+70%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 15.7 mi | $1,240 | $-163 (-12%) |
| Cornelius, NC | 19 mi | $1,770 | +$367 (+26%) |
| Davidson, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,800 | +$397 (+28%) |
| Concord, NC | 20.7 mi | $1,400 | $-3 (0%) |
| Waxhaw, NC | 21.1 mi | $1,860 | +$457 (+33%) |
Studio rent in Charlotte — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Charlotte?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,403 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $1,746.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Charlotte?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,120 ($4,677/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charlotte expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Charlotte's studio median of $1,403 is +9% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 58th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charlotte rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Charlotte ranks #94 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Charlotte?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Belmont ($1,390), Mount Holly ($1,240), Concord ($1,400).