Average Rent in Raleigh NC: What the Latest Figures Show
Recent rental trackers put Raleigh’s average rent at different levels, so a single figure needs context. Compare the published estimates and learn what to check before using them to plan a budget.
Average rent in Raleigh NC at a glance
Zillow lists the average rental price in Raleigh at $1,800. [1] Other trackers give different figures: Apartments.com reports $1,387 per month for average rent, RentCafe reports an apartment average of $1,588, and Zumper reports an apartment average of $1,729. [2][3][4]
These are source-specific estimates, not one universally agreed figure. The sources use different labels—“average rental price,” “average rent,” and “average rent for an apartment”—so treat the figures as separate snapshots rather than interchangeable measurements. [1][2][3][4] The provided figures do not establish why the estimates differ, and they do not give a shared reporting date for a direct comparison.
How to use the figures
For a quick starting point, note the range: the apartment averages shown by the three trackers span $1,387 to $1,729, while Zillow’s rental-price estimate is $1,800. [1][2][3][4] For example, if you are comparing a listing with an advertised rent, check which tracker and measure you are using before deciding whether that listing is above or below an estimate. A tracker’s citywide average can help frame a search, but it is not a quote for a specific home. For more detail, see . Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC.
The practical takeaway is simple: there is no single figure here to treat as the definitive Raleigh average. Use the numbers as estimates tied to their individual sources, and compare like with like—an apartment average against another apartment average, or a rental-price estimate against the same kind of measure. The sources provided do not include enough detail to calculate a combined average or say which estimate best matches a particular renter’s budget or home search.
Why Raleigh rent estimates differ
Why Raleigh rent estimates differ
The figures in these excerpts are not one like-for-like measurement. They come from different rental sites, and the wording shows that at least some are describing different things. Zillow reports an average rental price of $1,800, while Apartments.com gives an average rent of $1,387 per month. The excerpts do not explain enough about the sites’ methods to show why those two general figures differ, so it would be misleading to treat either as the definitive answer. You may also find this useful: Average Rent in Dallas TX: What the Latest Figures Show.
Some sources explicitly describe apartment rents. RentCafe puts Raleigh’s average apartment rent at $1,588 and says that is a 1.61% decrease from the previous year’s $1,613. Zumper reports an apartment average of $1,729, down 3% compared with the previous year. Those are apartment-specific estimates, not necessarily the same measure as a broader rental-price figure.
A range, an apartment average, and a general rental-price figure answer different questions; none should be substituted for another without checking what the source counts.
For a practical comparison, note the source, whether it says “rent” or “apartment rent,” and whether it gives a single average or a range. The excerpts don’t establish one shared method or identify a single figure as the most reliable. Treat the numbers as separate snapshots, and check the underlying listing or market page before using one to plan a budget.
What the rental trackers report
The trackers do not give one shared average
Rental sites report different Raleigh figures, so it helps to read each number as that tracker’s estimate rather than as a single agreed citywide price. Apartments.com lists average rent at $1,387 per month. RentCafe reports $1,588 for an apartment and says that figure is down 1.61% from the prior year’s $1,613. Zumper puts the average apartment rent at $1,729, with a 3% year-over-year decrease. [4]
Zillow lists an average rental price of $1,800. Rent.com gives a 2026 apartment range of $1,199 to $1,709. These figures are not interchangeable: the sources describe their measures differently, and the Rent.com result is a range rather than a single average.
The coverage dates also matter. Rent.com explicitly labels its range as a 2026 figure. Zillow’s supplied result says it was dated “3 days ago,” but does not state a month or year in the provided text.
For a practical comparison, start with the figure that matches the home you are considering and the tracker’s stated measure. An apartment-specific estimate may be more relevant when comparing apartments, while a range gives a broader price span than a single average. The sources provided do not explain enough about their calculation methods to reconcile the differences, so use the reported figures as separate reference points—not a promise of what a particular rental will cost.
How unit type can change the picture
Unit type can change the picture behind Raleigh’s overall rent figures. Realtor.com’s February 2026 result reports a one-bedroom figure of $1,552 and a studio median of $1,393. The two studio figures are not interchangeable: one is reported as a median and the other as an average, and the sources may use different definitions or reporting periods.
That distinction matters when you compare listings or set expectations. For example, if you are looking specifically for a studio, the Realtor.com figure is a median, while Rent.com’s figure is an average. Those labels describe different measures, so neither number should be treated as a direct correction of the other. The figures also come from separate source results, so check which source and reporting period you are using before drawing a comparison.
For a practical read, keep the unit type and the source attached to each figure. A one-bedroom figure from one report does not tell you the studio figure from another, and a studio average should not be compared as though it were a studio median. The reported amounts provide useful context, but they do not establish what a particular apartment will cost. Use them as source-specific reference points, then compare them with the unit type and details you are actually considering.
How to use these figures when budgeting
An average is a market reference, not a quote for the home you have in mind. Raleigh rent estimates vary across the sources: Zillow reports $1,800, Apartments.com reports $1,387 per month, RentCafe reports $1,588 for an apartment, and Zumper reports $1,729 for an apartment. Those figures should not be treated as interchangeable: the sources describe their estimates differently, and the supplied figures do not establish a shared method or reporting date. [1][2][3][4]
When you research further, compare like with like.
Before deciding what you can afford or which home to pursue, check current listings for the type of place and area you want, then review each source’s full methodology. The figures here do not tell you the asking rent for a specific listing. Use them to frame your search, then rely on the listing details and the source’s definitions when comparing options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Raleigh?
There isn’t one figure shared by all the sources. Zillow’s rental-market page reports an average of $1,800, while Apartments.com gives $1,387 per month. RentCafe reports $1,588 for an apartment, and Zumper reports $1,729 for an apartment. These are differing estimates, not a single consensus figure; check which source and measure best fit your comparison.
Why do rent websites show different averages?
The excerpts report different figures and measures: some say “average rent,” while others specify apartment rent or describe a range. The details can also be for particular unit types: Realtor.com’s excerpt reports median rents for studios and one-bedroom units, rather than one overall average. For example, it gives a $1,393 studio median and a $1,552 one-bedroom figure. Compare rent estimates by the type of home you plan to rent, such as a studio or a one-bedroom apartment.
Are these figures current for September 2026?
Which number should I use?
Choose an estimate that matches the question you are asking: an overall rent figure, apartment-specific figure, range, or a figure for a particular unit type. Choose the estimate that matches the rent figure you need, such as an overall average, an apartment average, a range, or a figure for a specific unit type.
The takeaway on Raleigh rent
The supplied trackers do not point to one shared “average rent” for Raleigh. Those numbers are useful as a snapshot of what each service reports, not as interchangeable measurements.
Coverage matters, too. That range and property-type detail are not directly equivalent to a single platform-wide average. RentCafe and Zumper both describe their figures as apartment averages, while the supplied Zillow excerpt labels its number an average rental price. [3] [4] [1]
For a practical budget, start with the tracker whose property type and coverage best match the place you plan to rent. Check current listings for the size and type of home you want, then compare asking rents in the areas you would actually consider. Before you set a specific budget, check current listings for the size and type of home you want, then compare asking rents in the areas you would actually consider. That final check is the most useful next step when a citywide estimate leaves you with several different answers.