Studio Apartment Rent in Murphy, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Murphy, North Carolina as of March 2026. That's +56% lower than the citywide median of $1,600 and +45% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Murphy
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 Murphy
Compare Murphy's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon | $449 |
| 2 | Waynesville | $675 |
| 3 | Albemarle | $690 |
| 4 | Archdale | $700 |
| 5 | Shelby | $700 |
| 6 | Murphy (this page) | $710 |
| 7 | Lumberton | $720 |
| 8 | Asheboro | $724 |
| 9 | Lenoir | $730 |
| 10 | Henderson | $760 |
| 11 | Lillington | $770 |
| 12 | Marion | $790 |
| 13 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 14 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 15 | Conover | $810 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holly Springs | $1,870 |
| 2 | Waxhaw | $1,860 |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $1,860 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,827 |
| 5 | Chapel Hill | $1,725 |
| 6 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 7 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 8 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 9 | Carrboro | $1,545 |
| 10 | Huntersville | $1,526 |
| 11 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 12 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 13 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
| 14 | Arden | $1,500 |
| 15 | Clayton | $1,495 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Murphy.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Murphy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellijay, GA | 37.9 mi | $620 | $-90 (-13%) |
| Dahlonega, GA | 37.9 mi | $980 | +$270 (+38%) |
| Athens, TN | 41.9 mi | $680 | $-30 (-4%) |
| Maryville, TN | 43 mi | $1,197 | +$487 (+69%) |
| Dawsonville, GA | 46.2 mi | $1,420 | +$710 (+100%) |
| Chatsworth, GA | 47.7 mi | $670 | $-40 (-6%) |
| Lenoir City, TN | 48 mi | $1,440 | +$730 (+103%) |
| Alcoa, TN | 48.8 mi | $1,230 | +$520 (+73%) |
| Louisville, TN | 50.5 mi | $970 | +$260 (+37%) |
| Farragut, TN | 52.6 mi | $1,880 | +$1,170 (+165%) |
| Ball Ground, GA | 54.6 mi | $1,220 | +$510 (+72%) |
| Kingston, TN | 55.4 mi | $940 | +$230 (+32%) |
Studio rent in Murphy — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Murphy?
As of March 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Murphy, North Carolina is $710 per month. This is +56% below the citywide median of $1,600.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Murphy?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $28,400 ($2,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $13.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Murphy expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Murphy's studio median of $710 is +45% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 4th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Murphy rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 129 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Murphy ranks #6 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Murphy?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Ellijay ($620), Athens ($680), Chatsworth ($670).