2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +9% lower than the citywide median of $1,575 and +13% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
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 | Lumberton | $930 |
| 4 | Shelby | $930 |
| 5 | Bessemer City | $932 |
| 6 | Marion | $940 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 9 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 10 | Lexington | $995 |
| 11 | Mount Airy | $1,000 |
| 12 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 13 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 14 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 15 | Lenoir | $1,030 |
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 | Surf City | $2,067 |
| 7 | Kill Devil Hills | $2,029 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,980 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 12 | Durham | $1,832 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,768 |
| 15 | Arden | $1,760 |
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 | +$506 (+35%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,750 | +$313 (+22%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,548 | +$111 (+8%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,690 | +$253 (+18%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,790 | +$353 (+25%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,490 | +$53 (+4%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $2,107 | +$670 (+47%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,490 | +$53 (+4%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,832 | +$395 (+27%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,720 | +$283 (+20%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $2,160 | +$723 (+50%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 23.1 mi | $1,840 | +$403 (+28%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Raleigh?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,437 per month. This is +9% below the citywide median of $1,575.
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 $57,480 ($4,790/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.63/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 $1,437 is +13% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 35th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Raleigh ranks #70 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.