2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Hickory, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Hickory, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $1,522 and +33% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Hickory
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 2-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Hickory
Compare Hickory's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibsonville | $726 |
| 2 | Ranlo | $844 |
| 3 | Shelby | $930 |
| 4 | Bessemer City | $932 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 7 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 8 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 9 | Lexington | $995 |
| 10 | Mount Airy | $1,000 |
| 11 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 12 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 13 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 14 | Washington | $1,040 |
| 15 | Archdale | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,740 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,160 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,140 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,107 |
| 5 | Davidson | $2,070 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $2,030 |
| 7 | Surf City | $1,959 |
| 8 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 9 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 10 | Carrboro | $1,870 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 12 | Durham | $1,832 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
| 14 | Arden | $1,760 |
| 15 | Huntersville | $1,757 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Hickory.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Hickory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, NC | 10.2 mi | $1,140 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Lincolnton, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,120 | +$5 (0%) |
| Cherryville, NC | 22.3 mi | $1,110 | $-5 (0%) |
| Morganton, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,520 | +$405 (+36%) |
| Denver, NC | 28.1 mi | $1,310 | +$195 (+17%) |
| Dallas, NC | 28.2 mi | $1,160 | +$45 (+4%) |
| Bessemer City, NC | 30.5 mi | $932 | $-183 (-16%) |
| Statesville, NC | 31.6 mi | $1,155 | +$40 (+4%) |
| Stanley, NC | 31.8 mi | $1,310 | +$195 (+17%) |
| Kings Mountain, NC | 32.9 mi | $990 | $-125 (-11%) |
| Troutman, NC | 33.9 mi | $1,600 | +$485 (+43%) |
| Ranlo, NC | 33.9 mi | $844 | $-271 (-24%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Hickory — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Hickory?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Hickory, North Carolina is $1,115 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $1,522.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Hickory?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $44,600 ($3,717/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.44/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hickory expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Hickory's 2-bedroom median of $1,115 is +33% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 13th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hickory rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 127 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Hickory ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Hickory?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Cherryville ($1,110), Bessemer City ($932), Kings Mountain ($990).