Studio Apartment Rent in Hickory, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Hickory, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $1,463 and +33% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Hickory
Compare Hickory'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 | Raeford | $810 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $845 |
| 15 | Lexington | $850 |
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 | Chapel Hill | $1,725 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 12 | Raleigh | $1,579 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,521 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Hickory.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Hickory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, NC | 10.2 mi | $890 | +$20 (+2%) |
| Lincolnton, NC | 17.7 mi | $980 | +$110 (+13%) |
| Lenoir, NC | 22.1 mi | $730 | $-140 (-16%) |
| Cherryville, NC | 22.3 mi | $940 | +$70 (+8%) |
| Morganton, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,290 | +$420 (+48%) |
| Denver, NC | 28.1 mi | $1,130 | +$260 (+30%) |
| Dallas, NC | 28.2 mi | $1,010 | +$140 (+16%) |
| Statesville, NC | 31.6 mi | $1,005 | +$135 (+16%) |
| Kings Mountain, NC | 32.9 mi | $800 | $-70 (-8%) |
| Troutman, NC | 33.9 mi | $1,390 | +$520 (+60%) |
| Mount Holly, NC | 35.4 mi | $1,240 | +$370 (+43%) |
| Cornelius, NC | 35.9 mi | $1,770 | +$900 (+103%) |
Studio rent in Hickory — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Hickory?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Hickory, North Carolina is $870 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $1,463.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Hickory?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,800 ($2,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hickory expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Hickory's studio median of $870 is +33% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 15th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hickory rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Hickory ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Hickory?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Lenoir ($730), Kings Mountain ($800).