Studio Apartment Rent in Winston-Salem, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,478 and +26% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem'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 | Henderson | $760 |
| 5 | Lillington | $770 |
| 6 | Marion | $790 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 9 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 10 | Raeford | $810 |
| 11 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | $845 |
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 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Carrboro | $1,545 |
| 12 | Huntersville | $1,531 |
| 13 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 14 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 15 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Winston-Salem.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemmons, NC | 9.8 mi | $970 | +$16 (+2%) |
| Rural Hall, NC | 10.4 mi | $960 | +$6 (+1%) |
| Kernersville, NC | 12.8 mi | $1,010 | +$56 (+6%) |
| Advance, NC | 15.8 mi | $940 | $-14 (-1%) |
| High Point, NC | 18.5 mi | $1,000 | +$46 (+5%) |
| Thomasville, NC | 19.3 mi | $910 | $-44 (-5%) |
| Lexington, NC | 19.4 mi | $850 | $-104 (-11%) |
| Archdale, NC | 25.7 mi | $910 | $-44 (-5%) |
| Greensboro, NC | 30.3 mi | $1,033 | +$79 (+8%) |
| Salisbury, NC | 32.2 mi | $1,020 | +$66 (+7%) |
| Mount Airy, NC | 37.5 mi | $810 | $-144 (-15%) |
| Asheboro, NC | 41.2 mi | $910 | $-44 (-5%) |
Studio rent in Winston-Salem — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Winston-Salem?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $954 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,478.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Winston-Salem?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $38,160 ($3,180/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Winston-Salem expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Winston-Salem's studio median of $954 is +26% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 24th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Winston-Salem rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 120 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Winston-Salem ranks #38 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Winston-Salem?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Advance ($940), Thomasville ($910), Lexington ($850).