1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Emerald Isle, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Emerald Isle, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +45% lower than the citywide median of $2,300 and +9% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Emerald Isle
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 Emerald Isle
Compare Emerald Isle'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 | $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 Emerald Isle.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Emerald Isle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport, NC | 10 mi | $890 | $-380 (-30%) |
| Havelock, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,130 | $-140 (-11%) |
| Morehead City, NC | 15.6 mi | $970 | $-300 (-24%) |
| Hubert, NC | 16.1 mi | $930 | $-340 (-27%) |
| Midway Park, NC | 23.5 mi | $930 | $-340 (-27%) |
| New Bern, NC | 30.1 mi | $970 | $-300 (-24%) |
| Jacksonville, NC | 32.3 mi | $930 | $-340 (-27%) |
| Beaufort, NC | 32.4 mi | $820 | $-450 (-35%) |
| Sneads Ferry, NC | 32.6 mi | $1,130 | $-140 (-11%) |
| Holly Ridge, NC | 42.9 mi | $1,090 | $-180 (-14%) |
| Richlands, NC | 44.7 mi | $980 | $-290 (-23%) |
| Hampstead, NC | 51.6 mi | $1,320 | +$50 (+4%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Emerald Isle — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Emerald Isle?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Emerald Isle, North Carolina is $1,270 per month. This is +45% below the citywide median of $2,300.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Emerald Isle?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,800 ($4,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Emerald Isle expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Emerald Isle's 1-bedroom median of $1,270 is +9% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 41th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Emerald Isle rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Emerald Isle ranks #69 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Emerald Isle?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Newport ($890), Havelock ($1,130), Morehead City ($970).