3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Cornelius, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Cornelius, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +39% higher than the citywide median of $1,796 and +17% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bessemer City | $1,155 |
| 2 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 3 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 4 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 5 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 6 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 7 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 8 | Mount Airy | $1,310 |
| 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 | Davidson | $2,570 |
| 6 | Cornelius (this page) | $2,500 |
| 7 | Cary | $2,415 |
| 8 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 9 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 12 | Carrboro | $2,330 |
| 13 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 14 | Vass | $2,260 |
| 15 | Arden | $2,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Cornelius.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Cornelius |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntersville, NC | 5.2 mi | $2,171 | $-329 (-13%) |
| Davidson, NC | 7.5 mi | $2,570 | +$70 (+3%) |
| Denver, NC | 8.3 mi | $1,800 | $-700 (-28%) |
| Mooresville, NC | 8.4 mi | $2,390 | $-110 (-4%) |
| Stanley, NC | 11 mi | $1,680 | $-820 (-33%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,760 | $-740 (-30%) |
| Troutman, NC | 14.5 mi | $2,200 | $-300 (-12%) |
| Kannapolis, NC | 19 mi | $1,750 | $-750 (-30%) |
| Charlotte, NC | 19 mi | $1,971 | $-529 (-21%) |
| Belmont, NC | 20.3 mi | $1,970 | $-530 (-21%) |
| Ranlo, NC | 20.4 mi | $2,037 | $-463 (-19%) |
| Dallas, NC | 20.9 mi | $1,430 | $-1,070 (-43%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Cornelius — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Cornelius?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Cornelius, North Carolina is $2,500 per month. This is +39% higher than the citywide median of $1,796.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Cornelius?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $100,000 ($8,333/month gross), which works out to roughly $48.08/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cornelius expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Cornelius's 3-bedroom median of $2,500 is +17% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 66th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cornelius rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 126 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Cornelius ranks #121 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Cornelius?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Huntersville ($2,171), Denver ($1,800), Mooresville ($2,390).