1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,579 and +17% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Raleigh
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 Raleigh
Compare Raleigh'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 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 8 | Lenoir | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $850 |
| 14 | Wilson | $855 |
| 15 | Nashville | $870 |
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 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $1,825 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,790 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 11 | Raleigh (this page) | $1,639 |
| 12 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 13 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 14 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 15 | Durham | $1,600 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,755 | +$116 (+7%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,580 | $-59 (-4%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,408 | $-231 (-14%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,530 | $-109 (-7%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,620 | $-19 (-1%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,320 | $-319 (-19%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $1,897 | +$258 (+16%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,320 | $-319 (-19%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,400 | $-239 (-15%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,600 | $-39 (-2%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,555 | $-84 (-5%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $1,950 | +$311 (+19%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Raleigh?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,639 per month. This is +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,579.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Raleigh?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $65,560 ($5,463/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.52/hour at a full-time job.
Is Raleigh expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Raleigh's 1-bedroom median of $1,639 is +17% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 66th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 122 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Raleigh ranks #112 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Raleigh?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Knightdale ($1,580), Morrisville ($1,408), Garner ($1,530).