3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Clayton, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Clayton, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +15% higher than the citywide median of $1,862 and in line with the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 2 | Lumberton | $1,180 |
| 3 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 4 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 5 | Lenoir | $1,260 |
| 6 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 7 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 8 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 9 | Gibsonville | $1,319 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $1,340 |
| 11 | Archdale | $1,350 |
| 12 | Asheboro | $1,350 |
| 13 | Sylva | $1,350 |
| 14 | Thomasville | $1,350 |
| 15 | Kings Mountain | $1,360 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $3,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,690 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,640 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,620 |
| 5 | Chapel Hill | $2,600 |
| 6 | Davidson | $2,570 |
| 7 | Cornelius | $2,500 |
| 8 | Pineville | $2,440 |
| 9 | Cary | $2,415 |
| 10 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 11 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 12 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 13 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 14 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 15 | Vass | $2,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Clayton.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Clayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell, NC | 10.5 mi | $1,840 | $-300 (-14%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 10.7 mi | $2,180 | +$40 (+2%) |
| Garner, NC | 10.8 mi | $2,100 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Smithfield, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,840 | $-300 (-14%) |
| Zebulon, NC | 16.6 mi | $1,840 | $-300 (-14%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 20.1 mi | $2,257 | +$117 (+5%) |
| Angier, NC | 20.5 mi | $1,840 | $-300 (-14%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 25.1 mi | $1,840 | $-300 (-14%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 25.6 mi | $2,230 | +$90 (+4%) |
| Cary, NC | 28.1 mi | $2,415 | +$275 (+13%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 28.4 mi | $2,330 | +$190 (+9%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 31.4 mi | $1,953 | $-187 (-9%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Clayton — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Clayton?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Clayton, North Carolina is $2,140 per month. This is +15% higher than the citywide median of $1,862.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Clayton?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $85,600 ($7,133/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Clayton expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Clayton's 3-bedroom median of $2,140 is right at the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 50th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Clayton rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 124 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Clayton ranks #99 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Clayton?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Wendell ($1,840), Garner ($2,100), Smithfield ($1,840).