1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Wilmington, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wilmington, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +12% lower than the citywide median of $1,690 and +6% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Wilmington
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 Wilmington
Compare Wilmington'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 | $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 Wilmington.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Wilmington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Beach, NC | 12.5 mi | $1,510 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Leland, NC | 14.3 mi | $1,320 | $-160 (-11%) |
| Hampstead, NC | 20.8 mi | $1,320 | $-160 (-11%) |
| Bolivia, NC | 25.3 mi | $1,220 | $-260 (-18%) |
| Holly Ridge, NC | 28.7 mi | $1,090 | $-390 (-26%) |
| Sneads Ferry, NC | 38.7 mi | $1,130 | $-350 (-24%) |
| Shallotte, NC | 40.3 mi | $1,030 | $-450 (-30%) |
| Jacksonville, NC | 49.2 mi | $930 | $-550 (-37%) |
| Richlands, NC | 49.3 mi | $980 | $-500 (-34%) |
| Calabash, NC | 52.7 mi | $1,278 | $-202 (-14%) |
| Hubert, NC | 56.9 mi | $930 | $-550 (-37%) |
| Little River, SC | 59.4 mi | $1,200 | $-280 (-19%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Wilmington — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Wilmington?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Wilmington, North Carolina is $1,480 per month. This is +12% below the citywide median of $1,690.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Wilmington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,200 ($4,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is Wilmington expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Wilmington's 1-bedroom median of $1,480 is +6% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 56th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Wilmington rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 123 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Wilmington ranks #100 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Wilmington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Leland ($1,320), Hampstead ($1,320), Bolivia ($1,220).