Hunt for your next reasonably-priced apartment the right way.
Adulting these days can feel like a constant cycle of job- or apartment-hunting. According to Gov. Josh Stein, North Carolina is facing a housing crisis that especially impacts working and middle-class households, with a shortage of “more than 750,000 housing units through 2029.”
The average rental price for an apartment in N.C. is $1,352 per month. This makes it one of the median states for rental prices, as it’s the 25th cheapest state to rent in. The average rent has also decreased by 1.2 percent in the past year.
However, Stein points out that between 2024 and 2025, N.C. also “saw the ninth-highest rental price increases in the country.” Roughly half of N.C. renters spend nearly a third of their income on housing, which is why Stein signed an executive order on May 19, with the goals of increasing the availability of affordable housing units.
With this new initiative, affordable housing availability can hopefully catch up with the state’s population and economic growth. N.C. saw over 35,000 new jobs and “$24 billion in capital investments” last year—making it the “top state for economic development” in 2025, according to the governor.
If you’ve been thinking of making “money moves” and moving into a new apartment for that dream new job, read our comprehensive guide of the best places to rent in N.C.
The Queen City area offers a wide range of rental prices
With just under a million people (964,784 to be exact), Charlotte is the largest city in N.C., and it only continues to grow. According to the Charlotte Observer, the second-largest banking capital of the U.S., saw the largest population growth out of all major U.S. metropolitan areas in the past year.
Just under 160 people move to the Queen City metropolitan area every day, with over 60 percent being young adults between 20 and 34, according to The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. The city offers a fun nightlife scene for young adults with several trendy bars and restaurants in the Uptown area, all accessible through the city’s light rail called the LYNX Blue Line.
The banking capital of the South also has the third-most expensive rent, but Chantilly and Sardis Woods are two safe and affordable neighborhoods in Charlotte with plenty of parks and restaurants.
Chantilly is a quiet, residential area that has an average monthly rent of $1,352 and is within a 10-minute drive to Uptown. Sardis Woods is another peaceful neighborhood that has an average monthly rent of $1,261 and is a 20-minute drive to Uptown.
Uptown Charlotte, also known as Center City, tends to be pricier than the aforementioned neighborhoods, but you can still find several options under $1500. University City, where UNC Charlotte is also located, has light rail access and several more affordable rental options.
While Charlotte rent can be pricey ( sitting at an average of $1,477 per month), there are nearby suburbs that offer some of the cheapest rent in the state. Gastonia and Concord have the ninth- and tenth-cheapest rental prices in the state, respectively: Gastonia’s average rent is $1,172 per month, and Concord’s is $1,302 per month.
About a half-an-hour drive northeast, Concord, in Cabarrus Co., is known for the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Gastonia is a half-an-hour drive west from Charlotte and is the perfect place to live for outdoor enthusiasts with several hiking trails and parks.
Considering that gas prices are on the rise, it may be worth considering living in Charlotte and using the light rail whenever possible. A one-way ticket costs $2.20, and an unlimited day-pass costs $6.60. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in the Charlotte metropolitan area is $4.21.
The Triangle-area has the most overall expensive rent
The Raleigh-Durham area is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state and is known as a major innovation hub in the technology and science sectors, with the famed Research Triangle Park (RTP) located in the area.
This “top city to live in” isn’t as expensive as you would think
Often topping listicles that feature the best cities to move to, Raleigh recently ranked as the best N.C. city to live in, and no. 22 in the nation. The capital city is a hub for technology, healthcare, and life sciences. Raleigh also has the eighth-most expensive rent, at $1,372 per month, making it more affordable than Charlotte.
Southwest Raleigh is easily one of the best neighborhoods to rent in, with an average rent of $1,267 per month. The neighborhood offers proximity to Lake Johnson and Lake Raleigh—perfect spots for a walk or a pedal boat ride. The location is also close to NCSU and within a 10- to 15-minute drive of downtown Raleigh.
North Raleigh is another area that tends to have affordable apartments, with close access to the Falls Lake Recreation Area and the Durant Nature Preserve.
Raleigh suburbs can be slightly pricier than the city
Usually, living in the suburbs can offset the higher cost of living that is typically associated with larger cities. Raleigh’s suburbs are the exception to this rule, with Apex and Cary having the fifth- and sixth-most-expensive rents in N.C., respectively: Apex at $1,439 per month and Cary at $1,434 per month.
In 2024, Apex was named as the top “boomtown” in N.C., seeing “rapid economic and population growth.” The town offers all of the charm of a small Southern town with the amenities of a larger city, from award-winning restaurants to The Halle Cultural Arts Center. Salem Street, in the Historic Downtown district is a perfect place to look for apartments if you are looking for walkability.
Villages of Apex and Beaver Creek are areas to look into if you’re looking for recently built apartments with modern amenities. The latter also has easy access to the extensive Beaver Creek Commons Shopping Center and Apex Nature Park.
Cary, N.C., is easily the most conveniently located suburb, bordering Raleigh to its west. The town of nearly 200,000 people hired a downtown manager in 2011, named Ed Gawf, who had previously revitalized the downtown scenes of Palo Alto, C.A., and Boulder, C.O., and was tasked with improving Cary’s downtown scene.
The newly revitalized downtown area is easily one of the most fun places in Cary, with a kid-friendly park, an amphitheater, a two-story library, the state-of-the-art Cary Arts Center, easy access to the Amtrak train, and a vibrant nightlife scene filled with unique restaurants and bars that stay open late.
Finding apartments near GoCary bus stops and greenways is a way to get around and be less dependent on a car. Neighborhoods like Lochmere offer some apartment rental options and multiple greenways running through them, along with a few bus stops in parts of the neighborhood.
Waverly Place also has a few options that are in the $1200 to $1300 range, while Kildaire Farm has several options under $1500. Both have convenient shopping access, while Kildaire Farm also has wooded trails.
Rent in the Bull City has surpassed Raleigh
Known by the tagline “Dirty Durham,” the city known for its grit, actually cleans up well. Home to Duke University, a bustling arts scene, fun college bars, and delicious food, there’s a lot more to Durham than meets the eye.
With many RTP workers preferring the proximity of Durham and college students, the rent is now the seventh-most expensive in the state, surpassing Raleigh. If you value nightlife and entertainment, the Brightleaf Square area, on the west side of downtown, is probably one of the best areas to look into, as it tends to be quieter while still offering plenty of affordable restaurants and bars.
The average rent is also only $1,150 for a one-bedroom, and it’s walkable! For RTP employees prioritizing a quick commute, South Durham is a peaceful, residential place to rent. While South Durham can be pricier, there are places in the lower-$1,000 range conveniently located right off I-40 near TW Alexander Rd. The overall average rent is $1,391 per month.
This famous college town has the second-most expensive rent in N.C.
Chapel Hill is home to the country’s oldest public university: UNC-Chapel Hill. It’s a quintessential college town that blends Southern hospitality with a worldly perspective. Southern Living recently ranked the town as the second-best college town in the South.
Franklin Street, the artery of downtown, has some of the best restaurants in the state, featuring cuisine from around the world. Unfortunately, the college town is also the second most expensive N.C. city to rent in, with an average rate of $1,502 per month.
You may be able to find a few hidden gems near the campus that are under $1,500, but looking into Carrboro, the neighboring town that is a quick drive into downtown Chapel Hill, may be your best bet, as the average rental rate is $1,179.
The progressive, edgy town has an eclectic vibe with plenty of fun things to do, from listening to live music at Cat’s Cradle to shopping for locally sourced groceries at Weaver Street Market.
The Triad has some of the cheapest rent out of all N.C. metropolitan areas
If you want to prioritize affordability, without sacrificing convenience, you should consider the Triad area. The three major cities of the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point) all offer some of the cheapest rent in the state. The area also offers plenty of job opportunities from a diverse array of industries.
Greensboro is the largest city in the Triad, with approximately 307,381 people, and is within an hour-and-a-half drive from Raleigh. While the growing city is the third-largest in the state, it also offers the seventh-cheapest rent. Downtown Greensboro has modern apartments that are all within walking distance from coffee shops, restaurants, and arts/culture events. The average rent is $1,143 per month.
Easily one of the best neighborhoods to rent in is the Fisher Park Historic District area, which offers rent for as low as $795/month. The area is adjacent to downtown and offers plenty of green space and parks within walking distance, while featuring grandiose architecture that simultaneously takes you back through the various decades of the 20th century.
Winston-Salem is the fifth-largest city in the state and has the fifth-cheapest rent, at $1,111 per month. Historically known as one of the tobacco capitals of the country, Winston-Salem is now known as an industrial hub and a center for the arts, with the University of North Carolina-School of the Arts.
Industry Hill is an up-and-coming section in the northern part of downtown Winston-Salem that offers a brewery, live music, trendy fitness options, and local artisans—all within walking distance. Ardmore is another artsy, walkable neighborhood that is “located southwest of downtown.” There is an annual art walk, restaurants, and a park with a tennis court and hiking trails.
High Point is world-famous for its artisan furniture, but what you may not know is that it also has the third-cheapest rental rates, at an average of $1,083 per month. The downtown area, which is going through a revitalization effort, is the best neighborhood to look for apartments with walkable amenities and events, including bars, cafes, restaurants, local shopping, and recurring networking meetups.
Wilmington is a great city for those who love ocean therapy
With three popular beaches just minutes away from the city, Wilmington is the place to live in if you find being near the water to be therapeutic. The easy access to Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beaches will help you cross off paddleboard yoga lessons from your bucket list. It’s no wonder that Southern Living ranked the coastal city, with an average rental price of $1,361, as the seventh-best Southern city for 2026.
The Shotwell Law Group recommends living in the southeastern part of Wilmington, which is known to be safe. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find apartments in that area, especially if you only want a 1-bedroom. If you have no problem living near a college campus, there are a plethora of affordable apartment options, with the Winter Park and Pineywoods neighborhoods being standout areas to live.
Asheville offers picturesque views and outdoor adventures
If you’re someone who chooses the mountains over the beach, then Asheville is perfect for you. The city offers an eclectic arts scene with plenty of outdoor activities in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Business Insider writer Mikala Lugen even wrote a personal essay on how moving to the “Land of the Sky” was one of the best decisions she could make.
Lugen cited Southern hospitality, the mountainous scenery, and the general cost of living (compared to cities like Denver) as major reasons she recommends moving there. Compared to Denver, which also has a rugged landscape, she says you get more bang for your buck in terms of yard space.
However, Asheville is still relatively pricey compared to the rest of the state, with rental rates the fourth most expensive—$ 1,442 per month. Asheville also has some of the highest prices for gas at $4.25 per gallon. If you have an adventurous streak, it may be worth the move, as the city offers the perfect blend of a lively cultural and entertainment scene and outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, and ziplining.
If you are an artsy person, downtown and West Asheville are all areas to look for apartments. On the other hand, if you value green space and parks, check out neighborhoods like Haw Creek and Grove Park.
Rocky Mount has rental prices under $1000 per month
Roughly an hour’s drive east of Raleigh, Rocky Mount, N.C., offers the lowest rent in the state at an average of $965/month. While Rocky Mount has a higher crime rate than the state and national average, there are neighborhoods that offer safety and affordability. The Rocky Mount Mills neighborhood is an up-and-coming, walkable area where developers have converted the area’s millhouses into apartments, while keeping the touch of industrial history.
Rocky Mount Mills has several new breweries and restaurants you can walk to, with the average rental price for a one-bedroom in the neighborhood going for $800 to $1,200.
Rent that won’t make a dent in your wallet, and you get to use the extra money you saved at the pizza shop that’s walking distance?! Talk about a steal.
