Studio Apartment Rent in Wilmington, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Wilmington, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $1,690 and +13% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Wilmington
Compare Wilmington'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 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 12 | Raeford | $810 |
| 13 | Graham | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $840 |
| 15 | Washington | $840 |
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 | Pineville | $1,720 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $1,540 |
| 12 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 14 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
| 15 | Arden | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Wilmington.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Wilmington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Beach, NC | 12.5 mi | $1,150 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Leland, NC | 14.3 mi | $1,200 | +$75 (+7%) |
| Hampstead, NC | 20.8 mi | $1,000 | $-125 (-11%) |
| Bolivia, NC | 25.3 mi | $1,110 | $-15 (-1%) |
| Holly Ridge, NC | 28.7 mi | $1,010 | $-115 (-10%) |
| Sneads Ferry, NC | 38.7 mi | $1,090 | $-35 (-3%) |
| Shallotte, NC | 40.3 mi | $940 | $-185 (-16%) |
| Jacksonville, NC | 49.2 mi | $845 | $-280 (-25%) |
| Richlands, NC | 49.3 mi | $910 | $-215 (-19%) |
| Hubert, NC | 56.9 mi | $880 | $-245 (-22%) |
| Little River, SC | 59.4 mi | $1,140 | +$15 (+1%) |
| North Myrtle Beach, SC | 60 mi | $1,240 | +$115 (+10%) |
Studio rent in Wilmington — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Wilmington?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Wilmington, North Carolina is $1,125 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $1,690.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Wilmington?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $45,000 ($3,750/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Wilmington expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Wilmington's studio median of $1,125 is +13% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 37th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Wilmington rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 117 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Wilmington ranks #61 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Wilmington?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Hampstead ($1,000), Bolivia ($1,110), Holly Ridge ($1,010).