3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +43% higher than the citywide median of $1,579 and +6% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 2 | Lumberton | $1,180 |
| 3 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 4 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 5 | Lenoir | $1,260 |
| 6 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 7 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 8 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 9 | Gibsonville | $1,319 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $1,340 |
| 11 | Archdale | $1,350 |
| 12 | Asheboro | $1,350 |
| 13 | Sylva | $1,350 |
| 14 | Thomasville | $1,350 |
| 15 | Kings Mountain | $1,360 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $3,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,690 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,640 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,620 |
| 5 | Chapel Hill | $2,600 |
| 6 | Davidson | $2,570 |
| 7 | Cornelius | $2,500 |
| 8 | Pineville | $2,440 |
| 9 | Cary | $2,415 |
| 10 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 11 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 12 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 13 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 14 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 15 | Vass | $2,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $2,415 | +$158 (+7%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $2,180 | $-77 (-3%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,953 | $-304 (-13%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $2,100 | $-157 (-7%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $2,230 | $-27 (-1%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,840 | $-417 (-18%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $2,620 | +$363 (+16%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,840 | $-417 (-18%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $2,030 | $-227 (-10%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $2,280 | +$23 (+1%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $2,140 | $-117 (-5%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $2,690 | +$433 (+19%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Raleigh?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $2,257 per month. This is +43% higher than the citywide median of $1,579.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Raleigh?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $90,280 ($7,523/month gross), which works out to roughly $43.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Raleigh expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Raleigh's 3-bedroom median of $2,257 is +6% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 56th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 124 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Raleigh ranks #108 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Raleigh?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Knightdale ($2,180), Morrisville ($1,953), Garner ($2,100).