1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,572 and +7% below 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 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 4 | Henderson | $770 |
| 5 | Lillington | $780 |
| 6 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 7 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Washington | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $850 |
| 15 | Mount Airy | $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 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Carrboro | $1,635 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,586 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,755 | +$460 (+36%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,580 | +$285 (+22%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,356 | +$61 (+5%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,530 | +$235 (+18%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,620 | +$325 (+25%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,320 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $1,897 | +$602 (+46%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,320 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,400 | +$105 (+8%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,600 | +$305 (+24%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,555 | +$260 (+20%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $1,950 | +$655 (+51%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Raleigh?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,295 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,572.
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 $51,800 ($4,317/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.90/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 $1,295 is +7% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 43th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Raleigh ranks #76 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Raleigh?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Raleigh.