Studio Apartment Rent in Emerald Isle, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Emerald Isle, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +45% lower than the citywide median of $2,300 and +2% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waynesville | $675 |
| 2 | Albemarle | $690 |
| 3 | Shelby | $700 |
| 4 | Henderson | $760 |
| 5 | Lillington | $770 |
| 6 | Marion | $790 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 9 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 10 | Raeford | $810 |
| 11 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | $845 |
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 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Carrboro | $1,545 |
| 12 | Huntersville | $1,531 |
| 13 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 14 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 15 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Emerald Isle.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Emerald Isle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport, NC | 10 mi | $890 | $-370 (-29%) |
| Havelock, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,120 | $-140 (-11%) |
| Morehead City, NC | 15.6 mi | $960 | $-300 (-24%) |
| Hubert, NC | 16.1 mi | $880 | $-380 (-30%) |
| Midway Park, NC | 23.5 mi | $850 | $-410 (-33%) |
| New Bern, NC | 30.1 mi | $960 | $-300 (-24%) |
| Jacksonville, NC | 32.3 mi | $845 | $-415 (-33%) |
| Beaufort, NC | 32.4 mi | $820 | $-440 (-35%) |
| Sneads Ferry, NC | 32.6 mi | $1,090 | $-170 (-13%) |
| Holly Ridge, NC | 42.9 mi | $1,010 | $-250 (-20%) |
| Richlands, NC | 44.7 mi | $910 | $-350 (-28%) |
| Hampstead, NC | 51.6 mi | $1,000 | $-260 (-21%) |
Studio rent in Emerald Isle — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Emerald Isle?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Emerald Isle, North Carolina is $1,260 per month. This is +45% below the citywide median of $2,300.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Emerald Isle?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $50,400 ($4,200/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Emerald Isle expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Emerald Isle's studio median of $1,260 is +2% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 48th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Emerald Isle rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 120 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Emerald Isle ranks #77 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Emerald Isle?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Newport ($890), Havelock ($1,120), Morehead City ($960).