1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Cornelius, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Cornelius, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,796 and +31% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Cornelius
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 Cornelius
Compare Cornelius'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 (this page) | $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 Cornelius.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Cornelius |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntersville, NC | 5.2 mi | $1,586 | $-244 (-13%) |
| Davidson, NC | 7.5 mi | $1,870 | +$40 (+2%) |
| Denver, NC | 8.3 mi | $1,170 | $-660 (-36%) |
| Mooresville, NC | 8.4 mi | $1,565 | $-265 (-14%) |
| Stanley, NC | 11 mi | $1,180 | $-650 (-36%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,290 | $-540 (-30%) |
| Troutman, NC | 14.5 mi | $1,450 | $-380 (-21%) |
| Kannapolis, NC | 19 mi | $1,220 | $-610 (-33%) |
| Charlotte, NC | 19 mi | $1,442 | $-388 (-21%) |
| Belmont, NC | 20.3 mi | $1,450 | $-380 (-21%) |
| Ranlo, NC | 20.4 mi | $483 | $-1,347 (-74%) |
| Dallas, NC | 20.9 mi | $1,050 | $-780 (-43%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Cornelius — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Cornelius?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Cornelius, North Carolina is $1,830 per month. This is +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,796.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Cornelius?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $73,200 ($6,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cornelius expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Cornelius's 1-bedroom median of $1,830 is +31% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 75th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cornelius rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Cornelius ranks #120 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Cornelius?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Huntersville ($1,586), Denver ($1,170), Mooresville ($1,565).