Studio Apartment Rent in Raleigh, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's the same as the citywide median and +22% above 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 | Lumberton | $720 |
| 5 | Lenoir | $730 |
| 6 | Henderson | $760 |
| 7 | Lillington | $770 |
| 8 | Marion | $790 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 10 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 11 | Raeford | $810 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $845 |
| 15 | Lexington | $850 |
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 | Chapel Hill | $1,725 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 12 | Raleigh (this page) | $1,579 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,521 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Raleigh.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC | 11.7 mi | $1,685 | +$106 (+7%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 12.2 mi | $1,520 | $-59 (-4%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 12.4 mi | $1,352 | $-227 (-14%) |
| Garner, NC | 12.7 mi | $1,470 | $-109 (-7%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,560 | $-19 (-1%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18.3 mi | $1,290 | $-289 (-18%) |
| Apex, NC | 18.5 mi | $1,827 | +$248 (+16%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 19 mi | $1,290 | $-289 (-18%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 19.3 mi | $1,330 | $-249 (-16%) |
| Durham, NC | 20 mi | $1,517 | $-62 (-4%) |
| Clayton, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,495 | $-84 (-5%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.2 mi | $1,870 | +$291 (+18%) |
Studio rent in Raleigh — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Raleigh?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Raleigh, North Carolina is $1,579 per month. This is in line with the citywide median of $1,579.
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 $63,160 ($5,263/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Raleigh expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Raleigh's studio median of $1,579 is +22% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 70th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Raleigh rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Raleigh ranks #107 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Raleigh?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Knightdale ($1,520), Morrisville ($1,352), Garner ($1,470).