McDowell County
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in North Carolina. Population: 44,629.
Fair Market Rents (2026)
Studio
National avg: $893
$782/mo
↑ 0.3% YoY
-12% vs US
1 Bedroom
National avg: $959
$790/mo
↓ 5.5% YoY
-18% vs US
2 Bedroom
National avg: $1,175
$925/mo
↓ 0.5% YoY
-21% vs US
3 Bedroom
National avg: $1,525
$1,180/mo
↑ 0.7% YoY
-23% vs US
4 Bedroom
National avg: $1,756
$1,225/mo
↓ 1.4% YoY
-30% vs US
Year-over-Year Comparison
| Bedrooms | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $780 | $782 | +$2 (+0.3%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $836 | $790 | $-46 (-5.5%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $930 | $925 | $-5 (-0.5%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,172 | $1,180 | +$8 (+0.7%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,243 | $1,225 | $-18 (-1.4%) |
Affordability Snapshot
Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:
Required annual income for 1 BR
$31,600
$2,633/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$37,000
$3,083/month gross
Other Counties in North Carolina
Union County
1 BR: $1,538/mo
Mecklenburg County
1 BR: $1,538/mo
Bertie County
1 BR: $796/mo
Franklin County
1 BR: $1,596/mo
Burke County
1 BR: $908/mo
Vance County
1 BR: $743/mo
Data source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, FY 2026 Fair Market Rents. Fair Market Rents represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard quality units in each area.