2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +15% higher than the citywide median of $1,579 and +10% above 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 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 7 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 8 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 9 | Lexington | $995 |
| 10 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 11 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 12 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 13 | Lenoir | $1,030 |
| 14 | Archdale | $1,060 |
| 15 | Asheboro | $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 | Chapel Hill | $2,085 |
| 6 | Davidson | $2,070 |
| 7 | Surf City | $2,067 |
| 8 | Cornelius | $2,030 |
| 9 | Pineville | $1,980 |
| 10 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 11 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 12 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,832 |
| 14 | Raleigh (this page) | $1,815 |
| 15 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,943 | +$128 (+7%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,750 | $-65 (-4%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,571 | $-244 (-13%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,690 | $-125 (-7%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,790 | $-25 (-1%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,490 | $-325 (-18%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $2,107 | +$292 (+16%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,490 | $-325 (-18%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,550 | $-265 (-15%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,832 | +$17 (+1%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,720 | $-95 (-5%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $2,160 | +$345 (+19%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Raleigh?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,815 per month. This is +15% higher than the citywide median of $1,579.
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 $72,600 ($6,050/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.90/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 $1,815 is +10% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 59th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 124 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Raleigh ranks #111 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Raleigh?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Knightdale ($1,750), Morrisville ($1,571), Garner ($1,690).