1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Clayton, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Clayton, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $1,797 and +11% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Clayton
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 Clayton
Compare Clayton'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Clayton.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Clayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell, NC | 10.5 mi | $1,320 | $-235 (-15%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,580 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Garner, NC | 10.8 mi | $1,530 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Smithfield, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,320 | $-235 (-15%) |
| Zebulon, NC | 16.6 mi | $1,320 | $-235 (-15%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,295 | $-260 (-17%) |
| Angier, NC | 20.5 mi | $1,320 | $-235 (-15%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 25.1 mi | $1,320 | $-235 (-15%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 25.6 mi | $1,620 | +$65 (+4%) |
| Cary, NC | 28.1 mi | $1,755 | +$200 (+13%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 28.4 mi | $1,630 | +$75 (+5%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 31.4 mi | $1,356 | $-199 (-13%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Clayton — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Clayton?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Clayton, North Carolina is $1,555 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $1,797.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Clayton?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,200 ($5,183/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.90/hour at a full-time job.
Is Clayton expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Clayton's 1-bedroom median of $1,555 is +11% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 60th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Clayton rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Clayton ranks #108 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Clayton?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Wendell ($1,320), Garner ($1,530), Smithfield ($1,320).