3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Wilmington, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Wilmington, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +27% higher than the citywide median of $1,713 and +2% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bessemer City | $1,155 |
| 2 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 3 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 4 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 5 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 6 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 7 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 8 | Mount Airy | $1,310 |
| 9 | Gibsonville | $1,319 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $1,340 |
| 11 | Archdale | $1,350 |
| 12 | Asheboro | $1,350 |
| 13 | Sylva | $1,350 |
| 14 | Thomasville | $1,350 |
| 15 | Kings Mountain | $1,360 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $3,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,690 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,640 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,620 |
| 5 | Davidson | $2,570 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $2,500 |
| 7 | Cary | $2,415 |
| 8 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 9 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 12 | Carrboro | $2,330 |
| 13 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 14 | Vass | $2,260 |
| 15 | Arden | $2,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Wilmington.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Wilmington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belville, NC | 7.7 mi | $1,876 | $-294 (-14%) |
| Carolina Beach, NC | 12.5 mi | $2,210 | +$40 (+2%) |
| Leland, NC | 14.3 mi | $2,050 | $-120 (-6%) |
| Hampstead, NC | 20.8 mi | $2,050 | $-120 (-6%) |
| Bolivia, NC | 25.3 mi | $1,890 | $-280 (-13%) |
| Holly Ridge, NC | 28.7 mi | $1,880 | $-290 (-13%) |
| Sneads Ferry, NC | 38.7 mi | $1,970 | $-200 (-9%) |
| Shallotte, NC | 40.3 mi | $1,600 | $-570 (-26%) |
| Jacksonville, NC | 49.2 mi | $1,620 | $-550 (-25%) |
| Richlands, NC | 49.3 mi | $1,710 | $-460 (-21%) |
| Midway Park, NC | 52.1 mi | $1,620 | $-550 (-25%) |
| Calabash, NC | 52.7 mi | $1,172 | $-998 (-46%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Wilmington — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Wilmington?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Wilmington, North Carolina is $2,170 per month. This is +27% higher than the citywide median of $1,713.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Wilmington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $86,800 ($7,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is Wilmington expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Wilmington's 3-bedroom median of $2,170 is +2% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 51th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Wilmington rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 126 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Wilmington ranks #105 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Wilmington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Belville ($1,876), Leland ($2,050), Hampstead ($2,050).