1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Wake Forest, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wake Forest, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $1,812 and +16% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Wake Forest
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Wake Forest
Compare Wake Forest's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranlo | $483 |
| 2 | Shelby | $710 |
| 3 | Lumberton | $730 |
| 4 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 5 | Henderson | $770 |
| 6 | Lillington | $780 |
| 7 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Lenoir | $820 |
| 10 | Raeford | $820 |
| 11 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 12 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 13 | Marion | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Kinston | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,470 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,950 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,930 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,897 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,870 |
| 6 | Pineville | $1,790 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Kill Devil Hills | $1,711 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest (this page) | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,596 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Wake Forest.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngsville, NC | 8.3 mi | $1,320 | $-300 (-19%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 12.9 mi | $1,297 | $-323 (-20%) |
| Knightdale, NC | 15 mi | $1,580 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Wendell, NC | 18 mi | $1,320 | $-300 (-19%) |
| Zebulon, NC | 20.1 mi | $1,320 | $-300 (-19%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 20.9 mi | $1,388 | $-232 (-14%) |
| Cary, NC | 22.9 mi | $1,755 | +$135 (+8%) |
| Garner, NC | 22.9 mi | $1,530 | $-90 (-6%) |
| Durham, NC | 23.7 mi | $1,600 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Henderson, NC | 25.5 mi | $770 | $-850 (-52%) |
| Clayton, NC | 25.6 mi | $1,555 | $-65 (-4%) |
| Apex, NC | 29.9 mi | $1,897 | +$277 (+17%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Wake Forest — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Wake Forest?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Wake Forest, North Carolina is $1,620 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $1,812.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Wake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $64,800 ($5,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Wake Forest expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Wake Forest's 1-bedroom median of $1,620 is +16% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 64th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Wake Forest rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 123 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Wake Forest ranks #112 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Wake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Youngsville ($1,320), Raleigh ($1,297), Knightdale ($1,580).