1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Hillsborough, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hillsborough, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,467 and +9% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Hillsborough
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 Hillsborough
Compare Hillsborough'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 | Lumberton | $730 |
| 4 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 5 | Henderson | $770 |
| 6 | Lillington | $780 |
| 7 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Lenoir | $820 |
| 10 | Raeford | $820 |
| 11 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 12 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 13 | Marion | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Kinston | $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 | Pineville | $1,790 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Kill Devil Hills | $1,711 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,596 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Hillsborough.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Hillsborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | 12.6 mi | $1,210 | $-310 (-20%) |
| Mebane, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,280 | $-240 (-16%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 13 mi | $1,390 | $-130 (-9%) |
| Durham, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,600 | +$80 (+5%) |
| Graham, NC | 19.9 mi | $1,060 | $-460 (-30%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 24 mi | $1,388 | $-132 (-9%) |
| Burlington, NC | 24.1 mi | $1,075 | $-445 (-29%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 24.5 mi | $1,280 | $-240 (-16%) |
| Apex, NC | 28.6 mi | $1,897 | +$377 (+25%) |
| Cary, NC | 28.8 mi | $1,755 | +$235 (+15%) |
| Gibsonville, NC | 31.4 mi | $836 | $-684 (-45%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 35.2 mi | $1,297 | $-223 (-15%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Hillsborough — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Hillsborough?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Hillsborough, North Carolina is $1,520 per month. This is +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,467.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Hillsborough?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $60,800 ($5,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hillsborough expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Hillsborough's 1-bedroom median of $1,520 is +9% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 58th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hillsborough rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 123 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Hillsborough ranks #102 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Hillsborough?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Carrboro ($1,210), Mebane ($1,280), Chapel Hill ($1,390).