3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Hickory, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Hickory, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +5% lower than the citywide median of $1,492 and +33% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bessemer City | $1,155 |
| 2 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 3 | Lumberton | $1,180 |
| 4 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 5 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 6 | Lenoir | $1,260 |
| 7 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 8 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 9 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 10 | Mount Airy | $1,310 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $1,319 |
| 12 | Aberdeen | $1,340 |
| 13 | Archdale | $1,350 |
| 14 | Asheboro | $1,350 |
| 15 | Thomasville | $1,350 |
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 | Pineville | $2,440 |
| 7 | Cary | $2,415 |
| 8 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 9 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 12 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 13 | Vass | $2,260 |
| 14 | Arden | $2,260 |
| 15 | Wake Forest | $2,230 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Hickory.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Hickory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, NC | 10.2 mi | $1,450 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Lincolnton, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,550 | +$130 (+9%) |
| Lenoir, NC | 22.1 mi | $1,260 | $-160 (-11%) |
| Morganton, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,950 | +$530 (+37%) |
| Denver, NC | 28.1 mi | $1,800 | +$380 (+27%) |
| Dallas, NC | 28.2 mi | $1,430 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Bessemer City, NC | 30.5 mi | $1,155 | $-265 (-19%) |
| Statesville, NC | 31.6 mi | $1,590 | +$170 (+12%) |
| Stanley, NC | 31.8 mi | $1,680 | +$260 (+18%) |
| Kings Mountain, NC | 32.9 mi | $1,360 | $-60 (-4%) |
| Troutman, NC | 33.9 mi | $2,200 | +$780 (+55%) |
| Ranlo, NC | 33.9 mi | $2,037 | +$617 (+43%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Hickory — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Hickory?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Hickory, North Carolina is $1,420 per month. This is +5% below the citywide median of $1,492.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Hickory?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,800 ($4,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hickory expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Hickory's 3-bedroom median of $1,420 is +33% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 12th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hickory rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Hickory ranks #20 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Hickory?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Lenoir ($1,260), Bessemer City ($1,155), Kings Mountain ($1,360).