Studio Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,572 and +3% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Raleigh
Compare Raleigh's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waynesville | $675 |
| 2 | Albemarle | $690 |
| 3 | Shelby | $700 |
| 4 | Henderson | $760 |
| 5 | Lillington | $770 |
| 6 | Marion | $790 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 9 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 10 | Raeford | $810 |
| 11 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | $845 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,870 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,860 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,827 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,800 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,770 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Carrboro | $1,545 |
| 12 | Huntersville | $1,531 |
| 13 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 14 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 15 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,685 | +$438 (+35%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,520 | +$273 (+22%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,301 | +$54 (+4%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,470 | +$223 (+18%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,560 | +$313 (+25%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,290 | +$43 (+3%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $1,827 | +$580 (+47%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,290 | +$43 (+3%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,330 | +$83 (+7%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,517 | +$270 (+22%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,495 | +$248 (+20%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $1,870 | +$623 (+50%) |
Studio rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Raleigh?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,247 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,572.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Raleigh?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $49,880 ($4,157/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Raleigh expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Raleigh's studio median of $1,247 is +3% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 47th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 120 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Raleigh ranks #73 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Raleigh?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Raleigh.