2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +9% lower than the citywide median of $1,572 and +13% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibsonville | $726 |
| 2 | Ranlo | $844 |
| 3 | Shelby | $930 |
| 4 | Bessemer City | $932 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 7 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 8 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 9 | Lexington | $995 |
| 10 | Mount Airy | $1,000 |
| 11 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 12 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 13 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 14 | Washington | $1,040 |
| 15 | Archdale | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,740 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,160 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,140 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,107 |
| 5 | Davidson | $2,070 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $2,030 |
| 7 | Surf City | $1,959 |
| 8 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 9 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 10 | Carrboro | $1,870 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 12 | Durham | $1,832 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
| 14 | Arden | $1,760 |
| 15 | Huntersville | $1,757 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,943 | +$509 (+35%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,750 | +$316 (+22%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,512 | +$78 (+5%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,690 | +$256 (+18%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,790 | +$356 (+25%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,490 | +$56 (+4%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $2,107 | +$673 (+47%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,490 | +$56 (+4%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,550 | +$116 (+8%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,832 | +$398 (+28%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,720 | +$286 (+20%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $2,160 | +$726 (+51%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Raleigh?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,434 per month. This is +9% below the citywide median of $1,572.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Raleigh?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,360 ($4,780/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Raleigh expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Raleigh's 2-bedroom median of $1,434 is +13% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 35th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 127 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Raleigh ranks #71 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Raleigh?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 2-bedroom rents than Raleigh.