Studio Apartment Rent in Smithfield, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Smithfield, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +30% lower than the citywide median of $1,832 and in line with the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Smithfield
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 Smithfield
Compare Smithfield'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 | $1,579 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,521 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Smithfield.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Smithfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton, NC | 12.1 mi | $1,495 | +$205 (+16%) |
| Wendell, NC | 20.7 mi | $1,290 | — |
| Garner, NC | 20.8 mi | $1,470 | +$180 (+14%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,520 | +$230 (+18%) |
| Angier, NC | 24.3 mi | $1,290 | — |
| Zebulon, NC | 24.3 mi | $1,290 | — |
| Goldsboro, NC | 25.6 mi | $925 | $-365 (-28%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 32 mi | $1,579 | +$289 (+22%) |
| Wilson, NC | 32.3 mi | $850 | $-440 (-34%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 34.5 mi | $1,580 | +$290 (+22%) |
| Youngsville, NC | 35.9 mi | $1,290 | — |
| Lillington, NC | 37.2 mi | $770 | $-520 (-40%) |
Studio rent in Smithfield — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Smithfield?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Smithfield, North Carolina is $1,290 per month. This is +30% below the citywide median of $1,832.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Smithfield?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $51,600 ($4,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Smithfield expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Smithfield's studio median of $1,290 is right at the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 50th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Smithfield rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 118 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Smithfield ranks #80 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Smithfield?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Goldsboro ($925), Wilson ($850), Lillington ($770).