Studio Apartment Rent in Clayton, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Clayton, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $1,862 and +16% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Clayton
Compare Clayton'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? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Clayton.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Clayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell, NC | 10.5 mi | $1,290 | $-205 (-14%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,520 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Garner, NC | 10.8 mi | $1,470 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Smithfield, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,290 | $-205 (-14%) |
| Zebulon, NC | 16.6 mi | $1,290 | $-205 (-14%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,579 | +$84 (+6%) |
| Angier, NC | 20.5 mi | $1,290 | $-205 (-14%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 25.1 mi | $1,290 | $-205 (-14%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 25.6 mi | $1,560 | +$65 (+4%) |
| Cary, NC | 28.1 mi | $1,685 | +$190 (+13%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 28.4 mi | $1,580 | +$85 (+6%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 31.4 mi | $1,352 | $-143 (-10%) |
Studio rent in Clayton — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Clayton?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Clayton, North Carolina is $1,495 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $1,862.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Clayton?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,800 ($4,983/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Clayton expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Clayton's studio median of $1,495 is +16% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 65th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Clayton rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Clayton ranks #100 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Clayton?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Wendell ($1,290), Garner ($1,470), Smithfield ($1,290).