Studio Apartment Rent in Hillsborough, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Hillsborough, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +2% lower than the citywide median of $1,467 and +12% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Hillsborough
Compare Hillsborough'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 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 12 | Raeford | $810 |
| 13 | Graham | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $840 |
| 15 | Washington | $840 |
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 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $1,540 |
| 12 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 14 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
| 15 | Arden | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Hillsborough.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Hillsborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | 12.6 mi | $1,143 | $-297 (-21%) |
| Mebane, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,250 | $-190 (-13%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 13 mi | $1,314 | $-126 (-9%) |
| Durham, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,517 | +$77 (+5%) |
| Graham, NC | 19.9 mi | $840 | $-600 (-42%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 24 mi | $1,332 | $-108 (-7%) |
| Burlington, NC | 24.1 mi | $855 | $-585 (-41%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 24.5 mi | $1,250 | $-190 (-13%) |
| Apex, NC | 28.6 mi | $1,827 | +$387 (+27%) |
| Cary, NC | 28.8 mi | $1,685 | +$245 (+17%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 35.2 mi | $1,250 | $-190 (-13%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 35.4 mi | $1,870 | +$430 (+30%) |
Studio rent in Hillsborough — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Hillsborough?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Hillsborough, North Carolina is $1,440 per month. This is +2% below the citywide median of $1,467.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Hillsborough?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,600 ($4,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hillsborough expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Hillsborough's studio median of $1,440 is +12% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 61th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hillsborough rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 117 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Hillsborough ranks #98 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Hillsborough?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Carrboro ($1,143), Mebane ($1,250), Chapel Hill ($1,314).