Studio Apartment Rent in Marion, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Marion, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +40% lower than the citywide median of $1,310 and +39% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Marion
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 Marion
Compare Marion'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 (this page) | $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 Marion.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Marion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Mountain, NC | 19.1 mi | $1,290 | +$500 (+63%) |
| Morganton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,290 | +$500 (+63%) |
| Swannanoa, NC | 26.1 mi | $1,290 | +$500 (+63%) |
| Hendersonville, NC | 32.2 mi | $1,290 | +$500 (+63%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 33.2 mi | $1,290 | +$500 (+63%) |
| Fletcher, NC | 33.4 mi | $1,350 | +$560 (+71%) |
| Asheville, NC | 36.3 mi | $1,466 | +$676 (+86%) |
| Lenoir, NC | 38.4 mi | $730 | $-60 (-8%) |
| Arden, NC | 41.4 mi | $1,500 | +$710 (+90%) |
| Boone, NC | 43.9 mi | $880 | +$90 (+11%) |
| Shelby, NC | 44.1 mi | $700 | $-90 (-11%) |
| Inman, SC | 44.4 mi | $1,030 | +$240 (+30%) |
Studio rent in Marion — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Marion?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Marion, North Carolina is $790 per month. This is +40% below the citywide median of $1,310.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Marion?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $31,600 ($2,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Marion expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Marion's studio median of $790 is +39% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 9th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Marion rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Marion ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Marion?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Lenoir ($730), Shelby ($700).