Studio Apartment Rent in Cornelius, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Cornelius, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $1,704 and +7% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Cornelius
Compare Cornelius'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 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 12 | Raeford | $810 |
| 13 | Graham | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $840 |
| 15 | Washington | $840 |
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 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $1,540 |
| 12 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 14 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
| 15 | Arden | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Cornelius.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Cornelius |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntersville, NC | 5.2 mi | $1,540 | +$166 (+12%) |
| Davidson, NC | 7.5 mi | $1,800 | +$426 (+31%) |
| Denver, NC | 8.3 mi | $1,130 | $-244 (-18%) |
| Mooresville, NC | 8.4 mi | $1,510 | +$136 (+10%) |
| Stanley, NC | 11 mi | $1,140 | $-234 (-17%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 13.2 mi | $1,240 | $-134 (-10%) |
| Troutman, NC | 14.5 mi | $1,390 | +$16 (+1%) |
| Kannapolis, NC | 19 mi | $1,185 | $-189 (-14%) |
| Charlotte, NC | 19 mi | $1,408 | +$34 (+2%) |
| Belmont, NC | 20.3 mi | $1,390 | +$16 (+1%) |
| Dallas, NC | 20.9 mi | $1,010 | $-364 (-26%) |
| Concord, NC | 21.1 mi | $1,400 | +$26 (+2%) |
Studio rent in Cornelius — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Cornelius?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Cornelius, North Carolina is $1,374 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $1,704.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Cornelius?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $54,960 ($4,580/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Cornelius expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Cornelius's studio median of $1,374 is +7% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 57th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Cornelius rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 117 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Cornelius ranks #91 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Cornelius?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Denver ($1,130), Stanley ($1,140), Mount Holly ($1,240).