Raleigh, NC Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 07, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Raleigh is $1,560, a 1.45% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,583.
Studio Apartments at $1,308 offer the most budget-friendly option with 518 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 753 square feet for $1,374, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,626 offer 1,086 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,344 sq ft) for $2,001, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Raleigh, NC
Last updated: May 07, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,560 | 947 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,308 | 518 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,374 | 753 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,626 | 1,086 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,001 | 1,344 sq. ft. |
Raleigh, NC rent trends
Rental prices in Raleigh, NC have decreased by 1.45% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,583 to $1,560.
What's the typical rent budget in Raleigh, NC?
The largest share of rentals in Raleigh, NC (53%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Raleigh, NC?
96,029 or 49% of the households in Raleigh, NC are renter-occupied while 100,895 or 51% are owner-occupied.
How Raleigh Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Raleigh | $1,560 |
| Charlotte | $1,659 |
| Fayetteville | $1,298 |
| Winston - Salem | $1,288 |
| Durham | $1,532 |
| Greensboro | $1,332 |
| Hickory | $1,464 |
| Concord | $1,520 |
| Asheville | $1,665 |
| Wilmington | $1,644 |
| Greenville | $1,378 |
| Cary | $1,635 |
| Clayton | $1,574 |
| Chapel Hill | $1,738 |
| Wake Forest | $1,613 |
| Morrisville, NC | $1,641 |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | $1,648 |
| Apex, NC | $1,654 |
| Garner, NC | $1,426 |
| Knightdale, NC | $1,557 |
| Holly Springs, NC | $1,733 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Raleigh apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.